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 single illustrated page from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single illustrated page from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Rendered in black ink on paper, the text is arranged in graceful, curved lines and set against a subtle blue‑grey wash. Decorative red and blue highlights accentuate certain letters, while a thin red border frames the page’s perimeter.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains a segment of the narrative, a classic Persian tale in which a parrot recounts stories to its listeners. The precise, ornamental script reflects the literary prestige of the work, emphasizing the cultural value placed on storytelling and poetic expression in medieval Persian society.
Technique & Style
The calligrapher employed a refined hand, combining uniform black lettering with delicate flourishes on select characters. The background wash, applied in a watercolor‑like manner, creates a muted tonal field that enhances legibility while adding visual depth. Red and blue pigment accents serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, drawing attention to key passages.
History & Provenance
The page originates from a larger codex of *Tales of a Parrot*, a text that circulated widely across Persian‑speaking regions. It is now part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of manuscript illumination and Persian literary art.
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
