Artwork
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This object is a painted page taken from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
This object is a painted page taken from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Executed as a miniature illustration, the surface is filled with dense black Arabic calligraphy arranged in compact rows, framed by a narrow red line and a subtle gold edging along the margins.
Subject & Meaning
The script records a narrative episode from the *Tuti‑nama*, a collection of moral and romantic tales traditionally recited to entertain and instruct. Though the visual design is purely textual, the story’s content reflects courtly themes of love, loyalty, and wit that were popular in Safavid literary culture.
Technique & Style
The calligraphic hand appears to be a careful, hand‑drawn execution, with occasional enlarged letters that emphasize key words or names. The red border and faint gold line were applied with fine brushes, typical of manuscript illumination that combines text with modest decorative framing rather than elaborate figural scenes.
History & Provenance
The page was originally produced as a personalized gift for Prince Salim, a member of the Persian aristocracy. Its provenance traces back to a courtly workshop that catered to elite patrons, and the object now resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
During the period of its creation, Persian manuscripts often blended literary content with subtle ornamental elements, reflecting a cultural emphasis on the visual presentation of poetry and prose. The *Tuti‑nama* itself was a widely circulated text, adapted for various patrons and illustrated in diverse styles across the region.
Artist & collection
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
