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 page from the illustrated manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
Executed on aged paper, the page is dominated by dense black ink calligraphy arranged in graceful, curved lines.
This object is a single page from the illustrated manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Executed on aged paper, the page is dominated by dense black ink calligraphy arranged in graceful, curved lines. A thin red border encloses the text, while occasional short blue strokes provide subtle decorative accents. The surface shows the wear of time, including small specks and a patched area near the lower edge.
Subject & Meaning
The calligraphic text presents a narrative episode from the *Tales of a Parrot*, a literary work that blends moral instruction with entertainment. The script’s measured rhythm and occasional highlighted words suggest a deliberate, almost musical reading experience, emphasizing key passages within the story.
Technique & Style
The page exemplifies traditional ink calligraphy, using a fine brush to produce flowing, curved strokes that fill the space with uniform density. The red border is rendered with a thin line, likely applied with a separate pigment, while the brief blue marks function as ornamental highlights. The careful spacing and alignment reflect a disciplined hand accustomed to manuscript production.
History & Provenance
Now part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, the page originates from a manuscript tradition that circulated in the Persianate world. The paper’s aged texture and repaired spot indicate long use and preservation before its acquisition by the museum, where it is displayed as an example of historic 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
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