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The prince, a son of the ruler of Sistan, enters the service of a snake, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-seventh Night
c. 1560
- Medium
- gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
- Classification
- Painting
- Dimensions
- Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 8.6 x 10.2 cm (3 3/8 x 4 in.)
- Culture
- Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Kids profiles and older: it shows nature, places, still life or a children's book. How works are placed
View at the Cleveland Museum of Art
About this work
A black snake rises from a hole to greet the prince of Sistan, in southeastern Iran. The prince, who had been wandering destitute through the wilderness has made a vow to serve the next living creature he meets. Although the snake is initially skeptical, he agrees to the arrangement and the prince is ultimately rewarded for his loyalty.
