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). It consists of a single sheet of paper on which a continuous block of black calligraphic script fills the surface, framed by a subtle border that hints at its original codex format.
Subject & Meaning
The text appears to be a passage from a Persian poem, though the specific verses are not identifiable without knowledge of the language. The narrative content is therefore obscure to viewers unfamiliar with the source literature, emphasizing the visual qualities of the script over explicit storytelling.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in ink of varying thickness; broader strokes give certain letters a weighty presence while finer lines produce sharp, delicate forms. The hand moves with a controlled rhythm, combining flowing curves and angular cuts that create a sense of visual choreography across the densely packed rows.
Context
Tuti‑nama, a Persian literary work, was traditionally illustrated and copied by hand for elite patrons. Pages such as this exemplify the integration of poetic narrative with ornamental calligraphy, reflecting the cultural value placed on the visual presentation of literary texts in the manuscript tradition.
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
