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 single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as *Tales of a Parrot* (Tuti‑nama). It consists of a light‑brown, textured sheet that mimics aged paper, on which a column of black calligraphic script is set. A thin red line runs along the edge of the page, and a small red accent mark appears at the top of the column, providing a subtle decorative element.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains a passage of text written in an unidentified foreign language, suggesting the manuscript was intended for a readership familiar with that script. The vertical arrangement of the characters follows the traditional columnar format used in many historic codices, indicating a formal, perhaps literary, purpose.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in a flowing hand, each glyph carefully formed to achieve visual balance and rhythm. Black ink on the pale background creates a strong contrast, enhancing legibility. The red accent and bordering line are applied with a fine brush, adding a restrained decorative touch without overwhelming the script.
History & Provenance
The leaf is part of the *Tuti‑nama* tradition, a genre of Persian and Central Asian manuscripts that recount moral tales often featuring a parrot as a narrator. While the precise date and origin of this particular page are not recorded, its material qualities and stylistic conventions align it with medieval manuscript production in the region.
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