Who painted Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page?

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page was painted by Unknown in 1517.

Where can I see Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page?

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page?

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page is associated with Mughal Painting.

Artwork

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page

Unknown , 1517

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1517 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This object is a single folio from the Persian narrative work Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).

Accession no.: 1962.279.253.a
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry

About this work

Overview

This object is a single folio from the Persian narrative work Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). Rendered in dense black ink on a lightly yellowed sheet, the page is dominated by flowing calligraphic script that occupies most of the surface, framed only by modest ornamental lines at the top and bottom.

Subject & Meaning

The text presents a segment of the larger parrot‑tale tradition, a collection of moral and didactic stories conveyed through the voice of a talking bird. The absence of illustration emphasizes the literary content, inviting readers to focus on the narrative’s ethical and philosophical nuances.

Technique & Style

Executed with a fine brush or reed pen, the ink is applied in a continuous, elegant hand characteristic of Persian manuscript calligraphy. The script’s regular density and careful alignment reflect a disciplined scribal practice, while the subtle decorative borders provide a restrained visual balance without detracting from the text.

History & Provenance

The folio originates from a manuscript tradition that flourished in the Islamic world between the 14th and 16th centuries, when Tuti‑nama was widely copied for courtly and scholarly audiences. The paper’s aged patina suggests it has survived several centuries, though specific ownership details remain undocumented.