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The lion, suspecting treachery on the part of the monkey, slays him and flees, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-ninth Night, by Unknown, unspecified, 1560

The lion, suspecting treachery on the part of the monkey, slays him and flees, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-ninth Night

Unknown

1560

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

The lion, suspecting treachery on the part of the monkey, slays him and flees, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-ninth 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

A lion stands over a dead monkey in a bright green meadow. The lion’s claws are still bloody, and the monkey’s body is twisted in the grass. This painting comes from a book of parrot tales told in Akbar’s court. The story warns rulers not to trust rumors—here, the lion kills his loyal servant after being tricked by others. The bright colors and flat shapes make the scene feel like a fable, not real life. To see more art like this, look up Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605).

The story of this work

Overview

The monkey, who once served as the lion’s chamberlain, lies mauled and dead in the meadow. The lion, who was once a formidable ruler, has become convinced that that the monkey betrayed him. In reality, the lion fell for a trick laid by a family of clever lynx who invaded his den.

Did you know?

A male torso, visible under the chipped paint, indicates this page was intended for another picture.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

More by Unknown

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