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. The object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Executed on a light‑beige surface, the page is filled with black calligraphic script arranged in a regular, flowing composition and surrounded by a thin red border set within a broader blue frame.
Subject & Meaning
The text presents a narrative intended for Prince Salim, a member of the Safavid royal household. The story, centered on a talking parrot, functions as an instructive tale, reflecting courtly values and moral instruction common in Persian literary commissions for aristocratic patrons.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is hand‑drawn, each letter carefully shaped, with occasional emphasis achieved by slightly larger or bolder strokes. The decorative borders employ a restrained palette of red and blue, framing the script without overwhelming the textual content, characteristic of early modern Persian manuscript aesthetics.
History & Provenance
The page originates from a manuscript produced for Prince Salim, likely in the 16th‑century Safavid court. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art through acquisition in the 20th century, where it is now displayed as part of the museum’s Islamic art holdings.
Context
Manuscript production in Safavid Iran combined literary patronage with sophisticated visual design. *Tales of a Parrot* belongs to a genre of didactic storytelling that circulated among elite circles, illustrating the interplay between text and ornamental calligraphy in courtly culture.
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
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