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 painted page from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a painted page from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Executed on paper, the surface shows an aged, warm tone with subtle brown discolorations. Thin gold lines border the page, and a horizontal rule divides the text into two balanced blocks.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains continuous black calligraphic script, arranged in orderly lines, with occasional words emphasized in red ink. The text appears to be written in a Persian or Arabic style, suggesting a literary or poetic narrative typical of the *Tuti‑nama" tradition, which often features moral or didactic stories.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy displays a precise hand, combining curved and angular strokes to create a rhythmic visual flow. Gold leaf or gold paint outlines the margins, adding a decorative frame that contrasts with the muted paper. The use of red ink for highlights provides visual hierarchy within the script.
History & Provenance
The page originates from a manuscript produced in the Persianate cultural sphere, where illustrated books were commonly compiled for elite patrons. Its current location is the Cleveland Museum of Art, which acquired it as part of its collection of Islamic manuscript materials.
Context
*Tuti‑nama* manuscripts were popular in the early modern period of the Islamic world, blending storytelling with elaborate illumination. The integration of calligraphy, gold edging, and occasional color accents reflects the aesthetic conventions of manuscript production in that era.
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