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 illuminated page originates from the Persian manuscript known as Tuti‑nama (Tales of a Parrot).
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work originates from the Mughal Empire and is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The page depicts a parrot perched on a branch amid verses from the Tuti-nama, a Persian moral tale, symbolizing the bird's role as a messenger and teacher in Mughal court literature. The text page serves as a visual illustration of the narrative, where the parrot's speech conveys wisdom and cautionary lessons, reflecting themes of piety and courtly conduct. The work originates from the Mughal Empire and is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The page is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded as object 1962.279.103.a. The work entered the museum’s collection in 1962.
It has been exhibited at the Cleveland Museum of Art as part of the permanent collection display of Mughal paintings.
Overview
This illuminated page originates from the Persian manuscript known as Tuti‑nama (Tales of a Parrot). It consists of a single sheet of aged paper, its surface yellowed with time, and is covered entirely by dense black calligraphy arranged in orderly rows. A modest decorative border frames the text, while occasional words are highlighted in red or blue ink to draw attention.
Technique & Style
The calligrapher employed a flowing Nastaʿlīq hand, characteristic of Persian literary manuscripts, with precise line spacing that maximizes the page’s limited space. Red and blue pigments, likely derived from mineral sources, are applied sparingly to accentuate key words, a common practice in luxury books of the period.
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