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 illuminated page originates from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama), a literary work commissioned for Prince Salim.
About this work
Overview
This illuminated page originates from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama), a literary work commissioned for Prince Salim.
This illuminated page originates from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama), a literary work commissioned for Prince Salim. Executed on a slightly yellowed sheet of paper, the page features dense black calligraphy arranged within delicate blue borders, with occasional words rendered in blue ink for emphasis. The surface bears faint specks that suggest age and handling, underscoring its status as a historic document.
Subject & Meaning
The text on the page presents a segment of the parrot’s narrative, a popular didactic genre in Safavid Persia that used animal protagonists to convey moral lessons. By addressing a princely audience, the story served both entertainment and instruction, reinforcing courtly values through allegory while showcasing the patron’s cultivated taste for refined literature.
Technique & Style
Calligraphers employed a precise black script, likely a nastaʿlīq hand, set against a light, aged paper. Thin blue lines frame each line of text, creating a visual grid that guides the eye and adds a decorative element. Select words are highlighted in blue ink, a subtle color contrast that emphasizes key terms without disrupting the overall harmony of the page.
History & Provenance
Commissioned for Prince Salim in the early 17th century, the manuscript remained within royal collections before entering the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings. The museum’s acquisition reflects a broader interest in Safavid book arts, and the page is displayed alongside other folios that illustrate the manuscript’s original lavish presentation and its journey across centuries.
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