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 Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). Executed on a warm, off‑white sheet of paper, the surface is entirely covered with black calligraphic text arranged in orderly horizontal lines, framed by a thin blue border along its edges.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains a segment of the narrative *Tales of a Parrot*, a literary work composed for Prince Salim. The text presents the story without accompanying illustrations, emphasizing the literary content and the elegance of the script as the primary vehicle of meaning.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is rendered in a refined black ink, with letters linked in fluid strokes that demonstrate a high level of penmanship. The composition balances dense script with ample margins, creating a harmonious visual rhythm typical of elite Persian manuscript production.
History & Provenance
Created as part of a commissioned manuscript for a Safavid prince, the page reflects courtly patronage of the early modern period. It now resides in a museum collection, where it is displayed alongside related examples of Persian book art.
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