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 painted page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
This object is a painted page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). The sheet is executed as a miniature painting rather than a printed page, and it presents a segment of text rendered in a cursive script that resembles Arabic calligraphy. The composition includes a decorative border and a narrow colored line framing the central block of writing.
Subject & Meaning
The inscribed passage belongs to the narrative tradition of the *Tuti‑nama*, a collection of moral and didactic stories traditionally conveyed through the voice of a parrot. The highlighted sections in gold likely mark key moral points or names within the story, guiding the reader’s attention to the most significant elements of the tale.
Technique & Style
The page was painted with black ink for the main body of text, while selective words are emphasized with gold leaf or pigment, creating a subtle contrast. A thin colored line runs along the border, and the overall layout follows the ornamental conventions of Persian‑influenced manuscript art, combining precise calligraphic strokes with decorative framing.
History & Provenance
The manuscript fragment shows signs of age, including surface wear and minor discoloration, indicating it has been handled over centuries. Its material composition and stylistic features suggest production in a workshop that catered to elite literary patrons, though the exact origin and date remain uncertain.
Context
*Tuti‑nama* texts were popular in the Islamic world from the medieval period onward, often used for education and entertainment in courtly and domestic settings. The use of gold to highlight portions of the script reflects a tradition of emphasizing moral instruction within the visual hierarchy of the page.
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
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot)
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page