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The court jester meets a Zangi dancing with joy, and learns from him that the cause of his happiness is his assignation with a woman who is the jester’s own wife, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-second Night — Anonymous, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

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Written by: Burcu ArslanSpecialist · Miniature Painting
Calligraphy (Hat) · Catalogue no. 17589
Anonymous, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The court jester meets a Zangi dancing with joy, and learns from him that the cause of his happiness is his assignation with a woman who is the jester’s own wife, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twenty-second Night

StatusReference work · Not for sale
Held byCleveland Museum of Art
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In the opening scene of the parrot’s bawdy story about a jester, who is shown wearing green on his way to perform at the court of the emir, he came upon an Ethiopian, known as Zangi, dancing by the side of the road. When he learned that the Zangi was overjoyed because he was planning to meet his beloved, the jester’s own wife, the jester was so distraught he was unable to perform, and the emir threw him in prison. The artist depicted the Zangi as described in the text as semi-wild with caricatured physical traits, uncovered head, and little clothing.

Artist / MakerAnonymous, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
Datec. 1560
Culture / OriginMughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
Mediumgum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
DimensionsOverall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 6.1 x 10.2 cm (2 3/8 x 4 in.)
DepartmentIndian and Southeast Asian Art
TypePainting
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Provenance & Source

Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.

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