The king of the Ocean, having assumed human form, arrives at the court of the Raja, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The king of the Ocean, having assumed human form, arrives at the court of the Raja, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night

c. 1560

Ghulam 'Ali

(Indian, active 1550s-1590s)

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Overall: 20 x 14.7 cm (7 7/8 x 5 13/16 in.); Painting only: 11.5 x 10.3 cm (4 1/2 x 4 1/16 in.)

Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.92.a

Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

The umbrella over the seat at the right marks the throne of the Raja.

Description

His hands raised in a gesture of respectful greeting, the Raja got down from his throne to welcome the king of the ocean, wearing a crown with white flowers. At the left, the Brahman holds a rosary in his hands. The raja wears the clothing and turban favored by Emperor Akbar: fine white muslin tunic with long points, pants, and a ready-tied flat turban. The king of the ocean is dressed like the Brahman, with a wrapped lower garment called a dhoti, and he wears a sacred thread over his left shoulder, which is the mark of a high-born Hindu.