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 work is a painted page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The work is a painted page from the manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Rendered on yellowed paper, the page displays a continuous line of text in an unfamiliar script, executed in black ink. Red and blue accents outline the margins, while the surface shows signs of age such as stains and discoloration.
Subject & Meaning
The page forms part of a narrative manuscript, suggesting a literary or didactic purpose. The highlighted words in red and blue may indicate emphasis or structural divisions within the text, a common practice in manuscript illumination to guide the reader’s attention.
Technique & Style
The artist employed ink on paper, using a fluid hand to produce a flowing script. The marginal coloration is applied with thin washes of red and blue pigment, creating a subtle decorative frame without obscuring the text. The overall aesthetic reflects a restrained approach typical of functional manuscript pages rather than elaborate illustration.
History & Provenance
The page is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, acquired as an example of Persian or Central Asian book art. Its exact origin, date, and previous ownership are not detailed in the available records, but the material condition points to considerable age and handling.
Context
*Tales of a Parrot* belongs to a tradition of illustrated literary codices that circulated in the Islamic world, where stories were often transmitted in manuscript form. Such works combined prose with occasional visual cues, serving both educational and entertainment functions for their audiences.
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
