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Artwork

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, unspecified, 1560
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page, unspecified, 1560

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 single page from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).

About this work

Overview

The work is a single page from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Rendered in ink on paper, it presents three floral studies arranged across the surface, each flower rendered with slender, curved petals and elongated leaves. The page’s margins contain faint, flowing script, while occasional specks suggest dried ink droplets.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif consists of three distinct blossoms, each depicted with a naturalistic irregularity that emphasizes organic growth rather than idealized form. The inclusion of these botanical sketches within a narrative manuscript suggests a decorative function, possibly intended to complement textual passages about nature or allegorical stories.

Technique & Style

Ink lines are executed with a light, spontaneous hand, employing thin strokes that vary in pressure to convey subtle shading. The drawings display a loose, gestural quality, with minimal cross‑hatching, allowing the paper’s whiteness to define highlights. The overall style reflects a practiced yet informal approach typical of manuscript marginalia in the region.

History & Provenance

The page originates from the *Tuti‑nama*, a Persian‑influenced collection of fables that circulated in the Indian subcontinent during the early modern period. The manuscript’s exact date and ownership trail are not fully documented, but similar illustrated copies are known from collections assembled by regional courts and later entered museum holdings through 20th‑century acquisitions.

Artist & collection

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.