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 manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a painted page from the manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). It measures roughly a hand‑sized sheet, its surface a light brown ground over which a compact block of black calligraphic script is set. A single word is highlighted in blue ink, and the page is bordered by a thin gold line. The paper shows signs of age and wear, indicating its historic nature.
Subject & Meaning
The inscribed text forms part of a narrative composed for Prince Salim, a member of the Mughal court. The story, centered on a parrot’s adventures, was likely intended as an entertaining and moralizing gift, with the careful, flowing hand encouraging a deliberate, contemplative reading.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in a refined black ink, employing tight, uniform lines that reflect the high standards of courtly manuscript production. A single blue pigment accentuates a word, a subtle visual cue within the composition. The gold border, applied with a thin brush, frames the page and adds a modest decorative element without overwhelming the text.
History & Provenance
The page originates from a Mughal-era manuscript created for Prince Salim, son of Emperor Akbar, in the late 16th or early 17th century. The object has survived in a collection that eventually entered the holdings of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is conserved as part of the museum’s South Asian manuscript holdings.
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