Artwork Page for Khalis repays the prince for his kindness by changing into a snake and sucking the poison from the king’s daughter, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighteenth Night

Details / Information for Khalis repays the prince for his kindness by changing into a snake and sucking the poison from the king’s daughter, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighteenth Night

Khalis repays the prince for his kindness by changing into a snake and sucking the poison from the king’s daughter, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighteenth Night

c. 1560

Mughal India, court of Akbar

(reigned 1556–1605)
View all records in artwork set
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 6.5 x 10.2 cm (2 9/16 x 4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.136.a
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The prince later marries the king’s daughter and becomes a viceroy.

Description

The prince looks on in amazement as his snake companion resumes his original form and saves the life of the princess, who was dying from a poisonous snake bite. The snake owed the prince a favor, since the prince had cut a piece of his own flesh to feed him and his mate. After the girl was restored to health, the prince married her and became viceroy to the king. His three companions, Good Fortune, the snake, and the frog, having fulfilled their obligation, then bid him farewell.
A vertical manuscript page features black Persian calligraphy above a painting depicting figures with light skin tone. On the left, a person in an orange robe stands with a finger to their lips, watching another reclining on a blue floral divan. At the center, a large black snake coils on the reclining figure's chest, head near their face. To the right, two vessels sit under a sheer veil atop a patterned stand.

Khalis repays the prince for his kindness by changing into a snake and sucking the poison from the king’s daughter, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighteenth Night

c. 1560

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

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork