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The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night

The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night, unspecified, 1560
The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night, unspecified, 1560

The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth 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 scene from the seventeenth night of the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama, or Tales of a Parrot.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates the narrative of the seventeenth night from the Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot), a Persian manuscript of fables.

The painting illustrates the narrative of the seventeenth night from the Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot), a Persian manuscript of fables. The specific scene depicts a young man who magically transforms his appearance to resemble Mansur. Disguised as Mansur, the protagonist attempts to deceive Mansur's wife by gaining access to her bedchamber.

However, the wife rejects his advances, seeing through the deception or refusing the act. Created within the Mughal Empire around 1560, the work serves as a visual retelling of this moral tale concerning deception, disguise, and the consequences of attempted infidelity within the larger framework of the parrot's stories designed to delay a husband's execution of his wife.

History & Provenance

This painting, depicting a scene from the seventeenth night of the Tuti-nama, was created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire. The work is attributed to an unknown artist and is classified as a painting. It is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 1962.279.128.b. The specific narrative illustrated involves a young man disguising himself as Mansur to gain access to Mansur's wife.

Overview

The work illustrates a scene from the seventeenth night of the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama, or Tales of a Parrot. Executed as a miniature painting, it portrays a young man and a woman seated on a bed, engaged in quiet dialogue. The composition is framed by vivid floral motifs in red and blue, and a modest window appears on the left side of the picture.

Technique & Style

Rendered in the traditional Persian miniature style, the painting employs delicate brushwork and a rich palette of yellows, oranges, whites, reds, and blues. Intricate ornamental borders and stylised floral patterns frame the figures, while the small object held by the man is depicted with fine detail, characteristic of courtly manuscript illustration.

The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night
The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night

Artist & collection

SAME SUBJECT

Similarity 100 percent

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 98 percent
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 young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night?

The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night?

The young man changes himself to look like Mansur, and thus inveigles himself into the bed of Mansur’s wife, but is put off by her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Seventeenth Night is associated with Mughal Painting.