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The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night

Unknown , 1560

The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night, by Unknown, unspecified, 1560
The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night, by Unknown, unspecified, 1560

The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting illustrates a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of tales told by a parrot, created for the Mughal emperor Akbar.

Accession no.
1962.279.30.a
Credit line
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry

About this work

The king’s cooks were sent to test a soldier’s wife, but she outsmarted them, shaved their heads, and made them dress as maids.

You see two men in women’s clothes kneeling before a king on a golden stool.

The painting is from a book of parrot tales told to Emperor Akbar. The king’s cooks were sent to test a soldier’s wife, but she outsmarted them, shaved their heads, and made them dress as maids. The bright yellow background was added later, so the colors look uneven now.

To see more stories like this, look up mughal india, court of akbar (reigned 1556–1605).

Overview

This painting illustrates a scene from the Tuti-nama, a collection of tales told by a parrot, created for the Mughal emperor Akbar. It depicts two cooks, disguised as maidservants, kneeling before a prince.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows the cooks, having failed to seduce a soldier's wife, being humiliated and brought before the prince. The wife had outwitted them, shaving their heads and dressing them in women's attire as punishment.

Technique & Style

The painting features a prince seated on a stool, with the two cooks kneeling before him. The original yellow background was later altered to lavender, resulting in uneven coloration. The composition reflects the blending of artistic styles from various regions of India, brought together by Akbar's patronage.

History & Provenance

The Tuti-nama manuscript was produced in Akbar's court, where artists from different parts of India worked together. The Cleveland Museum of Art holds the majority of the manuscript's folios, making it a crucial resource for understanding the development of Mughal painting.

The soldier receives a garland of roses from his wife which will remain fresh as long as she is faithful, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourth Night
The soldier receives a garland of roses from his wife which will remain fresh as long as she is faithful, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fourth Night, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

MORE BY UNKNOWN

VISUALLY SIMILAR

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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

Who painted The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night?

The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night was painted by Unknown in 1560.

Where can I see The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night?

The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night?

The two erring cooks, dressed as maidservants, fall at the prince’s feet and beg forgiveness, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of the Parrot): Fourth Night is associated with Mughal Painting.