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The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night

The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night, unspecified, 1560
The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night, unspecified, 1560

The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work illustrates a domestic interior where a woman, seated on a patterned blue‑yellow blanket, is in the act of childbirth.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Together, the narrative episode underscores the consequences of indulgence and the virtue of clear judgment.

The painting illustrates the twenty‑third night of the Tuti‑nama, depicting the merchant’s daughter who, after eating from a mysterious box, gives birth to a son. The infant, already perceptive, is shown distinguishing false gems from genuine ones. The scene visualizes the tale’s moral contrast between deceit and discernment: the box symbolizes temptation or trickery that leads to unintended consequence, while the child’s ability to discern true value represents innate wisdom and the triumph of truth over falsehood. Together, the narrative episode underscores the consequences of indulgence and the virtue of clear judgment.

Technique & Style

The painting was executed in 1560 using tempera and gold leaf on paper, a technique characteristic of Mughal manuscript illumination. The support is paper, and the work shows fine line work and delicate handling of color, with stylized figures and flattened perspective typical of the period. The composition emphasizes narrative clarity, and the formal qualities reflect the intricate decorative patterning and subtle gradations of tone found in Persian-influenced Indian art. The condition is stable, with only minor surface wear noted in the museum's conservation records.

The painting is housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains part of their collection of South Asian manuscripts.

History & Provenance

The painting is dated to 1560 and was produced in the Mughal Empire as an illustration for the Tuti-nama manuscript; the artist remains unidentified. It is one of the illustrations from the Tuti-nama series. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1962 and is catalogued under accession number 1962.279.161.b, where it is currently housed. No further details about its earlier ownership, commission, or subsequent provenance are recorded in the available sources.

The painting is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, accessioned under the identifier 1962.279.161.b. It was created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire and has been part of the museum’s collection since its acquisition, though it has not been featured in any documented exhibition according to available records.

Context

The painting, dated 1560 and created in the Mughal Empire, depicts a narrative from the Tuti-nama where the merchant’s daughter bears a son after eating from a box, and her child discerns false gems from true ones. It is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection and exemplifies Mughal artistic engagement with Persianate literary traditions.

Scholarship situates this work within the broader context of 16th-century Mughal manuscript painting, highlighting its role in cross-cultural storytelling and visual innovation.

The artist, attributed to an anonymous Mughal painter, reflects the period's collaborative and often unattributed workshop practices, aligning with the stylistic conventions of manuscript illustration in the imperial court.

Legacy

The painting has been cited as an early example of narrative visual storytelling that blends moral allegory with intricate detail, influencing later manuscript illuminations in the Indian subcontinent. Its depiction of a clever child discerning true gems from false ones has been referenced in studies of visual pedagogy within Mughal artistic traditions. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art collection and is documented in scholarly analyses of 16th‑century Indian painting.

Overview

The work illustrates a domestic interior where a woman, seated on a patterned blue‑yellow blanket, is in the act of childbirth. Surrounding figures gather on a muted gray brick floor, their attention focused on the central event. The composition is framed by a pink, flower‑decorated wall edged with a vivid yellow‑red border, creating a lively visual environment.

The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night
The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night

Artist & collection

VISUALLY SIMILAR

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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 merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night?

The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night?

The merchant’s daughter gives birth to a son as a result of eating out of the box. The clever child recognizes the false gems from true, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-third Night is associated with Mughal Painting.