The merchant’s daughter encounters a wolf and bandits on her way to meet the gardener in order to keep her promise, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twelfth Night

The work, titled The merchant’s daughter encounters a wolf and bandits on her way to meet the gardener in order to keep her promise, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twelfth Night, is a painted narrative scene. It depicts a young woman in a red garment standing beside a wolf within a garden, while four colorfully dressed men brandish weapons and gesture toward her. Tall foliage and flying birds frame the action, suggesting an outdoor setting.

The composition presents a moment from the Persian literary collection Tuti‑nama, in which a merchant’s daughter, bound by a promise, confronts danger on her journey to a gardener. The presence of the wolf beside her implies a protective or symbolic role, while the armed men are interpreted as bandits threatening her progress. The juxtaposition of fear and resolve underscores themes of loyalty and peril in the tale.

Executed in a painted medium, the image employs vivid coloration, most notably the woman’s red dress and the multicolored attire of the men, to differentiate figures and convey narrative tension. The foliage is rendered with broad, gestural brushwork, creating a sense of depth, while the birds are suggested with quick, linear strokes that convey movement.

Works illustrating Tuti‑nama narratives contribute to the visual record of Persian storytelling traditions. By portraying a female protagonist confronting danger, the painting offers insight into gendered representations of virtue and bravery in the period’s narrative art.