Artwork
Landscape with a lotus pool, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot), Eighth Night
Landscape with a lotus pool, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot), Eighth Night is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painted page originates from the *Tuti-nama* manuscript, illustrating the "Eighth Night" of the tales.
About this work
Overview
This painted page originates from the *Tuti-nama* manuscript, illustrating the "Eighth Night" of the tales. It presents a small landscape scene at the bottom, seamlessly integrated with extensive Arabic calligraphy. The artwork exemplifies the characteristics of illuminated manuscripts, combining narrative illustration with significant textual elements to convey its story.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a tranquil landscape, focusing on a pink lotus pool where two large green leaves float prominently.
The painting depicts a tranquil landscape, focusing on a pink lotus pool where two large green leaves float prominently. Behind this aquatic feature, a low brick wall supports an ambiguous dark shape, possibly a building or a boat. This miniature visual element serves to complement the accompanying narrative text from the "Eighth Night" of the *Tales of a Parrot*, establishing a specific setting for the unfolding story.
Technique & Style
The artwork utilizes a subtle color scheme, featuring soft pinks, greens, and earthy browns. The lotus leaves are rendered with a distinct, almost shield-like quality, enhanced by internal red and blue accents. The greater portion of the page is covered with meticulously penned black Arabic script, organized within framed boxes, some of which are underscored in blue. This precise integration of miniature painting and calligraphy defines the page's visual character.
Context
This page is part of the larger illustrated manuscript known as the *Tuti-nama*, or *Tales of a Parrot*. This compilation of Persian fables, designed for both entertainment and moral instruction, was a favored subject for manuscript illumination. The *Tuti-nama* is notable for its numerous illustrations accompanying each night's narrative, with many pages from this specific manuscript now residing in The Cleveland Museum of 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
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot): Tale XIII