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The bird of seven colors brings a sable to the pious man, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second Night

Unknown

1560

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Mughal Painting Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

The bird of seven colors brings a sable to the pious man, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-second Night is a 1560 unspecified by Unknown, a Mughal Painting work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1560 · Mughal Painting
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a man and woman staring up at a giant, rainbow-feathered bird in their home. The bird clutches a dark fur pelt in its claws. This painting comes from a book of parrot tales told in Mughal India. The bird isn’t just pretty—it’s a magical helper that brings wealth. Every day it flies off and returns with a sable pelt, which the man sells to become rich. The story was meant to entertain and teach lessons. Look up more paintings from Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605) to see how artists pictured these tales.

The story of this work

Overview

The pious man and his wife stare at the fantastic seven-colored bird in surprise. Although it cost the man his final diram, the bird becomes a source of great wealth and prosperity for his family. Every day it leaves and returns with a sable, which the man sells in the market. Soon the man becomes a well-known merchant.