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 object is a painted page from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama.
About this work
Overview
The object is a painted page from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama. Executed on a pale, weathered sheet that resembles aged paper, the page is entirely covered with black ink calligraphy, framed by a narrow red border that defines its margins.
Subject & Meaning
The densely packed Arabic script presents a continuous narrative, with certain passages emphasized in gold ink. The highlighted sections suggest a hierarchy of importance, perhaps indicating verses or passages intended for a distinguished reader or patron.
Technique & Style
The calligrapher employed a flowing, curvilinear hand, arranging the letters in tight, orderly rows that fill the surface from edge to edge. The use of gold leaf within the black ink adds visual contrast, while the thin red border provides a subtle compositional frame.
History & Provenance
This page originates from the Tuti‑nama tradition of Persian illustrated books, a genre that flourished in the medieval Islamic world. The work now belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s manuscript holdings.
Context
Tales of a Parrot combines literary storytelling with elaborate visual decoration, a common practice in Islamic manuscript culture where text and art were interwoven to enhance the reading experience. The emphasis on gold lettering reflects the manuscript’s luxury status within its original cultural setting.
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