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 manuscript Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
History & Provenance
The text page from the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama), created in 1560, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland.
This text page from the Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot) was produced in 1560 within the Mughal Empire. The work is attributed to an unknown artist and is classified as a painting. It currently forms part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is held under the accession number 1962.279.88.b. The specific circumstances of its original commission and the details of its ownership history prior to entering the museum's holdings are not recorded in the available documentation.
The text page from the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama), created in 1560, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland. The work is cataloged under the accession number 1962.279.88.b. While the source confirms its presence in the museum's holdings since at least the time of its accession record, no specific exhibition history is detailed in the provided documentation.
Overview
The object is a painted page from the manuscript Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). It measures roughly a hand‑sized sheet, its surface a light brown ground over which a compact block of black calligraphic script is set. A single word is highlighted in blue ink, and the page is bordered by a thin gold line. The paper shows signs of age and wear, indicating its historic nature.
Subject & Meaning
The inscribed text forms part of a narrative composed for Prince Salim, a member of the Mughal court. The story, centered on a parrot’s adventures, was likely intended as an entertaining and moralizing gift, with the careful, flowing hand encouraging a deliberate, contemplative reading.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in a refined black ink, employing tight, uniform lines that reflect the high standards of courtly manuscript production. A single blue pigment accentuates a word, a subtle visual cue within the composition. The gold border, applied with a thin brush, frames the page and adds a modest decorative element without overwhelming the text.
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
