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 single leaf from the illustrated manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (also known as *Tuti‑nama*).
About this work
Overview
This object is a single leaf from the illustrated manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (also known as *Tuti‑nama*). The page consists of black ink script arranged in a series of rectangular panels, each containing a line of narrative intended for a young royal audience.
Subject & Meaning
The text was composed for Prince Salim, a member of the Mughal court, and forms part of a larger collection of moral and entertaining stories featuring a talking parrot. The narrative served both as amusement and as a vehicle for imparting ethical instruction to the prince.
Technique & Style
The script is executed in a flowing, calligraphic hand, with careful attention to line weight; some strokes appear slightly darker, suggesting the use of a reed pen and varying pressure. The page is laid out on warm‑toned paper that has acquired a patina of age, including faint brown discolorations near the upper edge, and is bordered by simple decorative frames that delineate each textual block.
History & Provenance
The manuscript originates from the Mughal period in India, likely produced in the early 17th century for the imperial household. The leaf entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art through acquisition in the late 20th century, where it is now displayed as part of the museum’s South Asian holdings.
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
