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The prince being taken away for execution on the false complaint of the handmaiden, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Embarrassed and angry that the prince rejected her advances, and worried that he will tell the king of her misconduct, the handmaiden preempts him by falsely accuses the prince of assaulting her. Since he has taken a vow of silence, he does not defend himself, so the king orders the prince to be beheaded.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineThe prince being taken away for execution on the false complaint of the handmaiden, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; painting only: 5.7 x 10.1 cm (2 1/4 x 4 in.); overall: 20 x 13.9 cm (7 7/8 x 5 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry, 1962.279.56.b
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