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 sheet from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama.
About this work
Overview
This object is a single sheet from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama. The page functions as a painted text page, featuring dense black calligraphy arranged in tight, orderly rows across a warm‑toned, slightly yellowed paper. A slender blue border runs along the margins, containing the script within a subtle frame.
Subject & Meaning
The handwritten verses convey a narrative drawn from the Tuti‑nama tradition, a collection of moral and didactic stories often conveyed through animal protagonists. While the specific episode on this sheet is not identified, the text would have served both an educational and entertainment purpose, illustrating cultural values through the allegorical figure of a parrot.
Technique & Style
The script is executed in a precise, flowing black ink, each character carefully formed to maintain legibility despite the compact layout. The paper’s aged appearance, with faint brown hues, suggests a traditional support, while the thin blue marginal band provides a visual counterpoint, highlighting the text without detracting from its density.
History & Provenance
Created as part of a larger manuscript, the page reflects the manuscript culture of its region, likely produced by a skilled scribe in a workshop setting. Its current location is not specified, but similar works are held in collections such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, indicating its relevance to the study of Persian and Central Asian illustrated texts.
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