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 medieval manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The work is a painted page from the medieval manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). Executed on aged paper, the surface is dominated by dense black calligraphy arranged in tight, orderly rows, with occasional variations in line weight that give certain characters a bolder appearance.
Subject & Meaning
The script appears to form a continuous narrative, suggesting the page was intended for careful, sequential reading. The presence of a blue line at the beginning of a new section indicates a structural division within the text, guiding the reader through the story.
Technique & Style
Ink is applied in both thick and thin strokes, creating visual contrast within the calligraphic field. Tiny gold flecks are scattered across the background, catching light and adding a subtle decorative element. A thin red border frames the page, emphasizing its preservation as a valued object.
History & Provenance
The page originates from the Tales of a Parrot manuscript, a work associated with the artistic traditions of the region where such illustrated texts were produced. It is currently part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of historic manuscript painting.
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