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 painted page from the Persian manuscript known as the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
This object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript known as the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). The surface is a light beige ground covered entirely with flowing black calligraphic script, bordered by a narrow strip of gold leaf. The composition is compact, with the text arranged in tidy lines across the page.
Subject & Meaning
The inscribed verses form a narrative episode from the larger collection of stories, traditionally intended for leisurely reading. The manuscript was commissioned for Prince Salim, suggesting a courtly audience and a purpose of entertainment or moral instruction within the royal household.
Technique & Style
The artist employed ink on a prepared paper support, using a graceful, curvilinear hand characteristic of Persian calligraphy of the period. A delicate gold border frames the text, while the faint red line along the edges and a small brown discoloration near the lower right corner indicate the work’s age and handling.
History & Provenance
Created for Prince Salim, the page reflects the patronage practices of Persian courts where illuminated manuscripts were produced for elite readers. Its survival, marked by the subtle stains and faded edging, points to centuries of use before entering a modern collection, where it is now preserved as an example of literary art.
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