Artwork
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot)
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Tuti-Nama, translated as “Tales of a Parrot,” is a painted work whose surface is dominated by dense black calligraphy.
About this work
Overview
Tuti-Nama, translated as “Tales of a Parrot,” is a painted work whose surface is dominated by dense black calligraphy. The text occupies the entire field, arranged in orderly rows across a warm, light‑tan sheet that is edged with a subtle reddish border.
Technique & Style
The script appears hand‑drawn, each character rendered with slight variations in line weight that convey a deliberate, measured hand. Small dots and dashes link the letters, producing a visual rhythm that suggests a musical quality to the writing. The overall effect is a tightly packed yet legible composition, emphasizing precision and control.
Context
While the content of the script is not detailed here, the work’s formal qualities align it with traditions that treat text as visual art, integrating literary narrative with painterly surface. The use of a single color palette and the emphasis on the act of writing reflect a focus on the materiality of language.
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
