Preparation for the marriage of Mahmuda to the Young Vizier, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-third Night c. 1560 Part of a set. See all set records India, Mughal, Reign of Akbar, 16th century Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper Overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); Painting only: 16.3 x 10.2 cm (6 7/16 x 4 in.) Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.219.b DID YOU KNOW? Mahmuda’s name means “praised” or “blessed.” DESCRIPTION In the lower register of this bustling scene, musicians play in celebration of the impending wedding. Above, the betrothed couple sits at the right. Although Mahmuda was happily engaged to her childhood sweetheart, Ayaz, the young vizier wanted her for himself. Mahmuda’s father, the grand vizier, agrees to the arrangement. Heartbroken, Ayaz believes he has lost Mahmuda forever. PROVENANCE Estate of Breckenridge Long, Bowie, MD, 1959; Harry Burke Antiques, Philadelphia, PA; Bernard Brown, Milwaukee, WI; CITATIONS Nakhshabī, Z̤iyāʼ al-Dīn, and Muhammed Ahmed Simsar. Tales of a Parrot = The Cleveland Museum of Art's Ṭūṭīnāma. Cleveland: The Museum, 1978. p. 213, n. 249 EXHIBITION HISTORY Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115); August 13, 2003 - February 18, 2004. Indian Minature Rotation (Gallery 115); August 18, 2004 -