The vagabond crosses a stream with the possessions of the daughter-in-law of the king of Banaras and absconds, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Sixteenth Night
Unknown Artist
c. 1560
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions
20.3 × 14 cm · painting only: 8.5 × 10.2 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry
Accession Number
1962.279.120.a
About this artwork
After agreeing to run away with the daughter-in-law of the king of Banaras, the destitute young man realizes that their relationship is unlikely to end happily. He leaves, taking her valuables with him. The woman, now alone on the other side of the stream, bereft of her jewelry, touches her index finger to her mouth in a gesture of shock.