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. This artifact is a single page from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
This artifact is a single page from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). The sheet is composed of warm‑toned paper, slightly yellowed with age, and is bordered by a thin red strip. The entire surface is filled with densely arranged black calligraphic script, organized in neat rows that suggest careful, deliberate composition.
Subject & Meaning
The inscribed verses are poetic in nature, likely recounting a narrative centered on a parrot, a common motif in Persian literary tradition. Though the text is not a direct dedication, the page was produced for Prince Salim, indicating a patronage context and suggesting the work was intended for private enjoyment or recitation.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy displays a controlled hand, with a mixture of connected and isolated letters that fill the page uniformly. The black ink contrasts sharply with the paper’s warm hue, while the red border frames the composition, emphasizing the textual block and guiding the viewer’s eye across the tightly packed lines.
History & Provenance
Created for Prince Salim, the page reflects the courtly culture of manuscript production in its era. Its survival as an individual sheet indicates it may have been separated from the larger codex, a practice common in the collection and study of Persian literary works.
Context
*Tales of a Parrot* belongs to a genre of Persian storytelling that blends moral instruction with entertainment, often employing animal protagonists. The manuscript’s elaborate presentation aligns with the aesthetic values of its time, where visual elegance complemented literary content.
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
