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 known as Tuti-nama (The Parrot’s Tale).
About this work
History & Provenance
No further details regarding its original commission or intermediate ownership history prior to its museum acquisition are provided in the available records.
This text page from the Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot) was created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire. While the specific artist remains unknown, the work is classified as a painting from this period. The manuscript page eventually entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is held under the accession number 1962.279.51.a.
No further details regarding its original commission or intermediate ownership history prior to its museum acquisition are provided in the available records.
The text page from the Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot) is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The institution assigns the work the accession number 1962.279.51.a. Created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire, the piece is classified as a painting by an unknown artist.
The provided sources confirm its location and inventory details but do not list specific exhibitions or a detailed provenance history beyond its current holding.
Context
The Cleveland Museum of Art holds a 1560 text page from the Tuti-nama, a Persian illustrated manuscript produced during the Mughal era. This folio exemplifies the synthesis of Persian narrative tradition with Mughal court patronage, reflecting the period's distinctive blend of Safavid compositional conventions and emerging naturalistic detail. Scholarship emphasizes its significance as an early example of centralized imperial storytelling in Indian art, marking a pivotal phase in manuscript production under Akbar's cultural program.
The work's stylistic analysis contributes to broader studies of cross-cultural artistic exchange between Persianate traditions and South Asian visual culture.
Overview
The object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript known as Tuti-nama (The Parrot’s Tale). Executed on paper, the surface is covered with dense black Arabic calligraphy, organized into orderly blocks. A modest decorative frame in gold and dark pigment encloses the text, while selective use of gold and blue ink highlights particular words.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains a portion of the Tuti-nama, a didactic work that presents moral and philosophical anecdotes through dialogues between a parrot and a king. The highlighted passages likely indicate verses of special significance, perhaps quotations intended for a royal audience or for emphasis in teaching.
Technique & Style
The calligraphic script is rendered in a fluid black ink, characteristic of Persian manuscript traditions. Gold and lapis‑blue pigments are applied as accent strokes, a common method for drawing attention to key terms. The surrounding border combines a simple gold line with a darker ornamental strip, reflecting a restrained yet elegant 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
Tuti-Nama (Tales of a Parrot)
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page
Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page