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 single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
History & Provenance
It has been part of the museum’s holdings since its acquisition in 1962, when it entered the collection under the title Painting by unknown artist.
The page originates from the Mughal Empire, where it was produced in 1560 as part of the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama) manuscript. It is classified as a painting and is now held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, catalogued as 1962.279.39.b. No further details of its ownership chain, commission, or intermediate provenance are documented in the available sources.
The text page from the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama) is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, accessioned as 1962.279.39.b.
It has been part of the museum’s holdings since its acquisition in 1962, when it entered the collection under the title Painting by unknown artist. The work is dated to circa 1560 and is attributed to the Mughal Empire.
Overview
This object is a single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). The page is rendered as a painted sheet rather than a printed sheet, and it measures roughly the size of a typical folio. The surface bears the patina of age, including faint stains and a delicate border that frames the text.
Subject & Meaning
The central element is a block of calligraphic text written in a script resembling Arabic, suggesting a narrative or poetic composition. The title of the work indicates that the content relates to a collection of stories involving a parrot, a common motif in Persian and Central Asian literary tradition that often conveys moral or didactic themes.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in black ink, while selective portions are highlighted with blue pigment, creating visual contrast. The letters are embellished with intricate flourishes and curvilinear ornaments, characteristic of manuscript illumination in the Islamic world. The thin border surrounding the page is also painted, reinforcing the overall decorative scheme.
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