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The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night

The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night, unspecified, 1560
The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night, unspecified, 1560

The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a narrative scene set within an opulently adorned interior.

About this work

History & Provenance

The work was executed by an unknown artist, reflecting the collaborative nature of Mughal manuscript production during this period.

Created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire, this painting illustrates the thirty-fifth night of the Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot). The specific scene depicts a Brahman recounting his romance with the king of Babylon's daughter to his friend, the magician. The work was executed by an unknown artist, reflecting the collaborative nature of Mughal manuscript production during this period.

It is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 1962.279.231.b.

Context

The painting depicting the Brahman's confession of love to the Babylonian king's daughter appears in the Tuti-nama manuscript tradition, specifically on the thirty-fifth night. This scene reflects Mughal artistic engagement with Persianate literary narratives, where moral and romantic themes were rendered in miniature form. The work is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, which identifies it as part of their collection of Indian miniature paintings from the 16th century.

Its attribution to an unknown artist aligns with the stylistic characteristics of Mughal workshops, where collaborative production often obscured individual authorship. The piece contributes to scholarly understanding of cross-cultural storytelling in South Asian art, particularly the adaptation of Arabic and Persian literary motifs within Islamic court aesthetics.

Overview

The work depicts a narrative scene set within an opulently adorned interior. Three figures occupy the space: a man in a vivid orange garment holding a fan near a window, a seated figure in white, and a woman in a blue‑gray dress. The surrounding walls are tiled in blue with gold motifs, while the floor is patterned with red hexagons, and a view beyond the window reveals verdant foliage and pink blossoms.

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates a moment from a Tuti‑nama, a collection of parrot tales, in which a Brahman recounts his love for the Babylonian king’s daughter to a magician friend. The composition suggests a storytelling atmosphere, emphasizing themes of romance and cultural exchange across distant lands.

Technique & Style

Executed with a rich palette, the artist employs bold, saturated hues, particularly orange, blue, and red, to accentuate the figures and decorative elements. Intricate detailing in the tiled walls and patterned floor reflects a meticulous approach to surface ornamentation, while the inclusion of an external garden view adds depth to the interior space.

The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night
The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night

Artist & collection

SAME SUBJECT

Similarity 96 percent

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night?

The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night?

The Brahman gives an account of his falling in love with the king of Babylon’s daughter to his friend, the magician, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night is associated with Mughal Painting.