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.
About this work
Overview
The object is a single sheet from the illustrated manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama), composed of handwritten text rendered in an elegant, flowing script. The page is bordered by a thin red line, with a darker red band dividing the upper and lower portions, and rests on a lightly aged paper whose surface shows subtle variations in ink density.
Subject & Meaning
The manuscript was commissioned for Prince Salim, suggesting a courtly audience and a narrative intended for entertainment or moral instruction. The title indicates a collection of stories centered on a parrot, a common motif in Persian literature symbolizing wit, counsel, and the transmission of knowledge.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy displays a highly refined cursive hand, each character linked in a continuous, decorative manner. Ink application varies, producing darker strokes alongside fainter ones, which may reflect the scribe’s pressure or intentional shading. The red borders, applied with precision, frame the text and enhance visual hierarchy without overwhelming the script.
History & Provenance
The page originates from a Persian manuscript tradition and was created for a specific royal patron, Prince Salim, likely in the early modern period. It now forms part of a collection that includes similar folios, and the object is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed alongside related works.
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