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 object is a single folio from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
This object is a single folio from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Rendered as a painted page, it is dominated by black ink calligraphy that fills the surface almost entirely, leaving only a narrow margin at the edges. A brief line of smaller script appears at the bottom, likely serving as a colophon or scribe’s note.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains a continuous passage of Arabic prose, suggesting it records a segment of the narrative that the *Tuti‑nama* presents—a collection of moral anecdotes and fables traditionally conveyed through the voice of a parrot. The dense arrangement of text implies a focus on literary content rather than visual illustration, emphasizing the story’s didactic purpose.
Technique & Style
Executed with a fine, flowing hand, the ink work demonstrates a high level of calligraphic skill, typical of Persian manuscript traditions. The script curves gracefully across the page, maintaining uniform spacing and consistent stroke weight. The paper, now aged to a soft brown hue with faint stains, indicates the use of handmade rag stock common in the region during the manuscript’s production.
History & Provenance
Although the exact date and place of creation are not specified, the *Tuti‑nama* was widely copied across the Islamic world from the 14th to 16th centuries. This particular leaf has entered a museum collection, where it is displayed alongside other pages from the same codex, offering insight into the textual transmission of popular Persian literature.
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