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 single page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). It consists solely of handwritten text set against a yellowed paper surface, framed by a narrow border. The layout presents lines of script in black ink, with occasional words emphasized in blue, creating a restrained visual hierarchy.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains narrative or didactic material typical of the *Tuti‑nama* tradition, a collection of moral stories often conveyed through animal protagonists. While the specific language of the script remains unidentified, the use of highlighted words suggests an intention to draw attention to key concepts or moral lessons within the text.
Technique & Style
The scribe employed a fine black ink pen to render the main body of the text, applying a consistent, legible hand across the page. Selective blue pigment was added to accentuate particular terms, indicating a deliberate use of color for emphasis. The paper’s aged, yellowed tone and the thin surrounding border reflect common manuscript production practices of the region.
History & Provenance
The page originates from the *Tales of a Parrot* manuscript tradition, which circulated in various cultural contexts across Central and South Asia. Precise dating and ownership details are not recorded, and the script’s identity has yet to be conclusively identified, leaving the work’s exact historical trajectory uncertain.
Context
Manuscript pages such as this were typically compiled for educational or devotional purposes, serving as portable carriers of moral instruction. The minimalist presentation—text without illustration—aligns with a tradition that prioritized the written word’s authority over visual embellishment.
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