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The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night

The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night, unspecified, 1560
The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night, unspecified, 1560

The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, 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.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the thirty‑fourth night of the Tuti‑nama, in which three young men present themselves as suitors for Zuhra, the daughter of a Kabul merchant. As a Mughal‑era painting, it visualizes this narrative episode from the Persian‑Indian story collection, highlighting the theme of courtship and the pursuit of marital alliance.

History & Provenance

The painting is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1962.

The painting depicting the three suitors for Zuhra's hand originates from the Mughal Empire and was created in 1560. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. The work is catalogued under accession number 1962.279.225.a and is attributed to an unknown artist, reflecting its status as a Mughal miniature from the 16th century.

The painting is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1962.279.225.a. It was created in 1560 in the Mughal Empire and has been part of the museum’s collection since its acquisition. The work has not been listed in major traveling exhibitions according to the available documentation.

Overview

The work depicts a narrative episode from the Persian illustrated manuscript tradition, illustrating the thirty‑fourth night of the Tuti‑nama, a collection of romantic tales. In the lower register three elegantly dressed youths kneel before a balcony where a young woman, Zuhra, watches them, suggesting a courtship scene set within an opulently tiled interior.

Technique & Style

Rendered in vivid pigments, the painting features intricate patterning on the floor, alternating blue and yellow motifs, and richly embroidered robes that display a range of bright hues. Architectural elements such as the balcony with its red‑yellow tiled roof are delineated with fine linear brushwork, reflecting the detailed illustrative style typical of Persian miniatures.

Context

Set within the broader tradition of illustrated literary works, the scene exemplifies how Persian art combined narrative storytelling with decorative elegance. The setting, a merchant’s household in Kabul, situates the tale within a commercial, culturally diverse milieu, reflecting the exchange of artistic motifs across the region.

The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night
The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, 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 three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night?

The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night?

The three young men present themselves as suitors for the hand of Zuhra, the daughter of the merchant of Kabul, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fourth Night is associated with Mughal Painting.