Beschrijving
The Emperor’s New Clothes. This type exists chiefly in two different versions:
(1) A trickster pretends to be a painter and is hired to decorate the walls in the house of a wealthy man. While he works (along with his assistants), his employer pays his expenses (and gives him an advance payment). The trickster paints nothing, but he claims that his paintings can be seen only by persons of noble birth (chaste women). Everyone praises the paintings rather than risk being accused. A fool (foolish woman, soldier) says that he would rather be a bastard, but that he does not see any pictures.
(2) A man (two, more) pretends that he can weave fine cloth (clothing, coat, cap), and is employed by a ruler. When the weaver is asked how his work is progressing, he explains that the clothing can be seen only by people of noble birth (chaste women). The ruler comes to be fitted. Neither he nor his courtiers will admit that they can see no clothing. When the ruler goes outside naked, only a child speaks the truth [J2312, K445]. Cf. Types 987, 1406.
(1) A trickster pretends to be a painter and is hired to decorate the walls in the house of a wealthy man. While he works (along with his assistants), his employer pays his expenses (and gives him an advance payment). The trickster paints nothing, but he claims that his paintings can be seen only by persons of noble birth (chaste women). Everyone praises the paintings rather than risk being accused. A fool (foolish woman, soldier) says that he would rather be a bastard, but that he does not see any pictures.
(2) A man (two, more) pretends that he can weave fine cloth (clothing, coat, cap), and is employed by a ruler. When the weaver is asked how his work is progressing, he explains that the clothing can be seen only by people of noble birth (chaste women). The ruler comes to be fitted. Neither he nor his courtiers will admit that they can see no clothing. When the ruler goes outside naked, only a child speaks the truth [J2312, K445]. Cf. Types 987, 1406.
Motief
J2312
K445
Commentaar
Documented in the Middle Ages, e.g. Stricker, Der Pfaffe Amîs (Stricker/Kamihara 1978, V. 491–804) and Don Juan Manuel, El Conde Lucanor (No. 32). Popular Andersen tale Keiserens nye Klœder (1837).
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
1620
Subgenre
mop