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The old man eats of the fruit of the Tree of Life, but drops dead, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Ninth Night

c. 1560
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Painting only: 11.4 x 10.2 cm (4 1/2 x 4 in.); Overall: 20.1 x 14.3 cm (7 15/16 x 5 5/8 in.)
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.78.a
Location: not on view
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The gesture of the index finger touching the mouth indicates shock, awe, or bewilderment.

Description

The enthroned king stares in amazement at the body of the old man. The parrot, who brought the king the fruit, sits in a cage at the center of the room. Believing the parrot to be a traitor, the king orders his execution. However, unbeknownst to the king, the fruit was actually poisoned by the bite of a venomous snake.
The old man eats of the fruit of the Tree of Life, but drops dead, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Ninth Night

The old man eats of the fruit of the Tree of Life, but drops dead, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Ninth Night

c. 1560

Lalu

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

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