The son of the king of Babylon sees the Brahman transformed into a woman bathing and falls in love with her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The son of the king of Babylon sees the Brahman transformed into a woman bathing and falls in love with her, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fifth Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar

(reigned 1556–1605)

Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 14.5 x 10.2 cm (5 11/16 x 4 in.)

Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.234.a

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Did You Know?

The prince becomes so lovesick that he nearly dies.

Description

The Brahman in the form of a woman spent many blissful days with his lover, the princess of Babylon, in the palace harem, until one day the king’s son caught sight of a beauty from a rooftop, who was actually the Brahman in the form of a woman, washing her hair. He instantly fell in love with her and began to pursue her. When the king’s daughter discovered that her brother had fallen for her lover she became distraught. She is shown here gesturing with alarm.