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The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night

The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night, unspecified, 1560
The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night, unspecified, 1560

The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a seated figure in a tranquil outdoor setting, surrounded by foliage, rocks and assorted objects.

About this work

Technique & Style

The painting depicts the mythical origin of music through a seven-holed Indian bird, drawn from the Fourteenth Night of the Tuti-nama manuscript.

The painting depicts the mythical origin of music through a seven-holed Indian bird, drawn from the Fourteenth Night of the Tuti-nama manuscript. It is executed in tempera and ink on paper, a technique typical of Mughal manuscript illumination. The composition features flat, decorative planes of color and intricate patterning characteristic of 16th-century Indian miniature painting, with stylized figures and rhythmic line work emphasizing narrative flow.

The work was created in the Mughal Empire and is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under accession number 1962.279.110.b.

History & Provenance

This miniature painting was produced in the Mughal Empire around 1560, within the manuscript known as the Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot).

It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1962 as accession 1962.279.110.b, where it remains in the permanent collection.

The painting is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, listed under accession number 1962.279.110.b. It has been featured in exhibitions at the museum, including the 1962 exhibition "Indian Miniatures: A Selection of Paintings from the Collection" and the 1995 exhibition "Mughal India: Art, Architecture, and Culture".

Overview

The work depicts a seated figure in a tranquil outdoor setting, surrounded by foliage, rocks and assorted objects. The man, dressed in a white dhoti, necklace and turban, rests on an elaborately patterned rug while playing a stringed instrument. Nearby items include a drum, a book and a bird, all rendered in muted greens, browns and blues that emphasize the natural atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates a narrative from the Indian tale collection known as the Tuti‑nama, specifically the episode titled “Fourteenth Night,” which recounts the origin of music from a mythical seven‑hole bird. The figure’s musical activity and the presence of the bird suggest a visual interpretation of that legend, linking artistic creation to the bird’s mythical song.

The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night
The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night

Artist & collection

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 98 percent

SAME SUBJECT

Similarity 100 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 origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night?

The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night?

The origin of music from a fabulous bird of India which had seven holes in its beak, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourteenth Night is associated with Mughal Painting.