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The goldsmith judged; the bear cubs trained by the carpenter as though they were his sons, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Third Night
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
In the upper-left corner, the goldsmith and the carpenter have dinner with their wives and children. The greedy goldsmith has robbed the carpenter who, in revenge, abducts the goldsmith’s sons and replaces them with two bear cubs. Below, the bears rub their faces against the goldsmith’s sleeves, proving to the judge that they must be the man’s transformed children.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineThe goldsmith judged; the bear cubs trained by the carpenter as though they were his sons, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Third Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; painting only: 10.2 x 10.5 cm (4 x 4 1/8 in.); overall: 20 x 13.7 cm (7 7/8 x 5 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry, 1962.279.23.a
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