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. This object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript known as the Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama.
About this work
Overview
This object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript known as the Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama. The work consists entirely of black ink calligraphy that fills the surface from margin to margin, punctuated by occasional red dots. The dense script and decorative marks indicate a purpose as a literary or poetic text rather than a purely illustrative page.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains a passage from the Tuti‑nama, a collection of moral tales and fables traditionally used for instruction and entertainment. The dense, flowing script suggests the text was considered significant, likely conveying a story or moral lesson intended for an educated audience familiar with Persian literary conventions.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in a hand‑drawn, cursive style, each character slightly varied, reflecting the skill of a professional scribe. Black ink forms tightly packed, curved letters that occupy the entire field, while small red ink dots serve as decorative or punctuation elements. The uniformity of line weight and the fluidity of the strokes demonstrate a refined, manuscript tradition.
History & Provenance
The page is part of a larger Tuti‑nama manuscript now held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, which has acquired several similar folios. The work originates from the Persian artistic milieu, where illuminated manuscripts were produced for courts and patrons. Its presence in a museum collection indicates it was removed from its original codex for preservation and study.
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