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 1560.

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.

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 by Unknown. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This object is a painted page from the manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama.

About this work

Overview

This object is a painted page from the manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot, or Tuti‑nama. Executed on paper, the surface is dominated by dense black ink script that fills the entire field, punctuated by occasional larger decorative initials. A subtle red line frames the perimeter, while faint blue strokes appear behind the text, adding a decorative underlayer.

Subject & Meaning

The page contains narrative text, presumably a segment of the larger parrot‑related story that gives the manuscript its title. The careful arrangement of the script, combined with ornamental letters, suggests an intention to blend literary content with visual elegance, guiding the reader’s eye through the tale.

Technique & Style

The artist employed brushwork in black ink to render the calligraphic text, achieving uniform rows and precise line quality. Thin blue washes were applied beneath the script, likely as a decorative background. A narrow red border, painted with a fine brush, defines the page’s edge, and the paper shows signs of age, indicating a historic material.

History & Provenance

Created as part of a painted manuscript, the page reflects the tradition of illustrated literary works in its cultural context. The paper’s slight wear points to handling over time, though specific details of its origin, date, or previous owners are not provided in the available description.

Context

Manuscript pages such as this were often produced in workshops where calligraphers and painters collaborated, merging textual transmission with visual art. The inclusion of decorative initials and colored accents aligns with broader practices of enhancing narrative manuscripts for both aesthetic appeal and readability.