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The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night

The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night, unspecified, 1560
The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night, unspecified, 1560

The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts an intimate interior where three figures engage in a solemn exchange before a gilded frame that houses a seated deity.

About this work

History & Provenance

The painting is attributed to an unknown artist and is classified within the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection of Indian miniature paintings.

The miniature was created in the Mughal Empire around 1560, depicting a scene from the Tuti-nama where the Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if united with the princess he has seen in the temple. It was commissioned as part of a manuscript cycle produced for the Mughal court, reflecting the artistic patronage of the period. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view today.

The painting is attributed to an unknown artist and is classified within the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection of Indian miniature paintings.

The painting is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1962.279.227.a. It was created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire and has not been recorded in any major exhibition history beyond its inclusion in the museum’s permanent holdings.

Overview

The work depicts an intimate interior where three figures engage in a solemn exchange before a gilded frame that houses a seated deity. A man in a vivid red garment gestures as if pledging a vow, while a second figure in a lighter robe holds a pot, and a child sits on the floor eating. Beyond a window, a cityscape of domed structures and foliage can be seen, situating the scene within a palace or temple setting.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure appears to be a prince who promises to decapitate himself and present his own head to the divine image if his desire to unite with a princess, seen earlier in a temple, is fulfilled. The presence of the child and the attendant with the pot suggests a domestic or ritual context, underscoring the gravity of the vow within a narrative drawn from the Tuti‑nama, a collection of Persian tales.

Technique & Style

Executed in miniature painting tradition, the composition employs fine brushwork and a limited palette dominated by reds, golds, and muted earth tones. The gilded frame and intricate detailing of the architectural backdrop reflect the lavish aesthetics of Persian court art, while the right‑to‑left script above the scene indicates the integration of calligraphic elements typical of manuscript illustration.

Context

Narrative miniatures such as this were produced for elite patrons who commissioned illustrated books to convey moral and romantic stories. The depiction of a royal vow to a deity reflects the intertwining of courtly love and religious devotion characteristic of Persian literary culture during the Safavid era.

The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night
The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night

Artist & collection

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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 Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night?

The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night?

The Raja’s son vows to sever his head and offer it to the image if he is united with the princess he has seen in the temple, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night is associated with Mughal Painting.