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 single folio from the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the *Tuti‑nama* or *Tales of a Parrot*.
About this work
Overview
The object is a single folio from the Persian illustrated manuscript known as the *Tuti‑nama* or *Tales of a Parrot*. The page consists entirely of calligraphic text, arranged in a compact, columnar layout and bordered by a thin red line. The script is rendered in black ink, with occasional blue headings and red decorative accents that emphasize structural divisions.
Subject & Meaning
The written content presents a collection of moral anecdotes and fables traditionally attributed to a talking parrot, a literary device used in Persian storytelling to convey ethical lessons. Each narrative is intended for careful reading, reflecting the didactic purpose of the manuscript as a guide to proper conduct and courtly behavior.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy employs a dense, precise hand typical of 16th‑century Persian manuscript production, using iron‑gall black ink for the main body and indigo for headings. The red border and occasional red highlights are applied with a fine brush, creating a hand‑drawn frame that delineates the text without interrupting its flow. The layout balances readability with ornamental restraint.
History & Provenance
The *Tuti‑nama* was compiled in the Safavid period and circulated among elite patrons of Persian literature. This particular folio has been part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection since its acquisition in the late 20th century, having previously been held in a private collection of Islamic art.
Context
Manuscripts of the *Tuti‑nama* were often produced in royal workshops, where calligraphers and scribes collaborated to produce texts that combined literary merit with visual elegance. The emphasis on textual density rather than illustration reflects a tradition of didactic literature where the written word was paramount.
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
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot)
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot)
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page