Artwork
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Thirtieth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Thirtieth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work portrays a seated woman in a verdant setting, surrounded by foliage and blossoms.
About this work
Overview
The work portrays a seated woman in a verdant setting, surrounded by foliage and blossoms. She wears an orange‑white garment, embellished with jewelry, and gently holds a small bird. Adjacent elements include a hanging birdcage, a low table with a vase and box, and a fruit bowl on a wall, while a red‑brick building with a yellow and blue couch can be seen in the distance.
Subject & Meaning
The scene illustrates a moment from the Persian narrative collection known as the Tuti‑nama, in which a parrot addresses Khujasta at the start of the thirtieth night. The woman's calm gesture toward the bird suggests a dialogue between human and animal, reflecting themes of communication, wisdom, and the poetic interplay of nature and courtly life.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a delicate palette of greens, oranges, and muted reds, the painting balances detailed ornamental elements—such as the jewelry and patterned textiles—with a softened atmospheric background. The composition employs a shallow depth, using a low wall and scattered objects to guide the viewer’s eye toward the central figures.
History & Provenance
The piece belongs to a collection of illustrations derived from the Tuti‑nama, a literary work that circulated in Persianate cultures. It is currently held within a museum collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided in the source material.
Artist & collection
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Nineteenth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Seventh Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Twenty-sixth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Twenty-seventh Night, form a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Eighth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Seventeenth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Twenty-Fourth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The parrot addresses Khujasta at the beginning of the thirty-eighth night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The parrot addresses Khujasta at the beginning of the fortieth night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)
The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Twenty-ninth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)