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 known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
This object is a single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). The page consists of black ink text set against a light‑colored parchment, framed by a thin red border. Certain words and phrases are underlined or highlighted in red, drawing visual attention to particular passages.
Subject & Meaning
The written content appears to be a narrative or poetic excerpt, though the language is not readily identifiable. The selective red emphasis suggests a hierarchy of importance within the text, possibly indicating verses, moral points, or sections meant for oral recitation.
Technique & Style
The script is executed in a flowing hand, characteristic of courtly manuscripts, with smooth, connected strokes. Red pigment, likely derived from cinnabar or vermilion, outlines the page and accentuates key words, a common practice in luxury books to enhance readability and visual appeal.
History & Provenance
The leaf was produced for Prince Salim, a patron associated with the manuscript’s creation. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently conserved and displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of South Asian manuscript material.
Context
*Tales of a Parrot* belongs to a tradition of narrative literature that circulated in the Persianate world, often illustrated and richly decorated for elite audiences. The use of red highlighting and ornamental borders reflects the manuscript’s function as a prestigious object intended for presentation within a royal or aristocratic setting.
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