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 work is a painted page from the manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The work is a painted page from the manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). It presents a single folio covered in handwritten text rendered in black ink upon a light‑brown surface. The page is framed by a decorative border that combines a thin red line with a broader gold strip, and selected words are highlighted in gold pigment.
Subject & Meaning
The script appears to convey a narrative or poetic composition, likely drawn from the larger collection of stories in the Tuti‑nama. The inclusion of ornamental motifs and occasional illustrations suggests an intention to enhance the literary content with visual enchantment, inviting the viewer into a world of wonder.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed with intricate, flowing strokes, featuring numerous flourishes and embellishments characteristic of the manuscript tradition. Gold highlights are applied to emphasize particular words, while the border’s layered lines demonstrate a careful use of color and metal leaf to create a rich, ornamental effect.
History & Provenance
The page originates from the Tales of a Parrot, a Persian‑language work compiled in the early modern period. Its exact date and place of production are not specified, but the stylistic elements align with manuscript practices of the region during that era.
Context
Manuscript pages such as this were often produced for elite patrons, combining literary and artistic skills to produce objects of both intellectual and aesthetic value. The decorative border and gold accents reflect a cultural emphasis on lavish presentation of texts.
Legacy
Pages from the Tuti‑nama continue to be studied for their contribution to Persian literary and artistic heritage, illustrating the interplay between text and ornamentation in manuscript 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