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 single page from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The work is a single page from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Rendered in black ink on a light beige paper, the page consists entirely of handwritten text arranged in tight horizontal lines, bordered by a thin red line and accented with faint blue dots between some lines.
Subject & Meaning
The script presents a narrative, likely a fable or moral tale, as is typical of the *Tuti‑nama* tradition, which uses stories about a talking parrot to convey ethical lessons. No illustrative imagery accompanies the verses, emphasizing the literary content.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in the nastaʿlīq script, a Persian style that blends fluid cursive strokes with angular forms. Variations in letter size and weight create visual rhythm, guiding the eye down the page, while the red border and blue guiding dots serve functional and decorative purposes.
History & Provenance
The page originates from a manuscript tradition that flourished in Persia during the medieval period, though the specific date and ownership of this leaf are not detailed in the provided information.
Context
Manuscript pages such as this were traditionally produced for elite patrons and served both educational and entertainment purposes. The *Tuti‑nama* genre reflects a broader cultural interest in didactic storytelling within Persian literary circles.
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