King Bhojaraja tries in vain to ascertain the whereabouts of the pearl from the four travelling companions, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twelfth Night
Unknown Artist
c. 1560
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions
20.3 × 14 cm · painting only: 7.5 × 10.1 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry
Accession Number
1962.279.97.b
About this artwork
Having arrived at the king's court, the streetcleaner laments that his priceless pearl was stolen, but he knows not by whom. The king summons the four travelers, but in spite of severe threats, none admits to the crime. The king sits on a golden seat with tent-like trappings behind him while an attendant holds the parasol of royalty over his head. Unable to discern who stole the pearl, the king calls for his clever daughter "who was so intelligent and resourceful in solving problems that she had...