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 single folio from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
History & Provenance
The miniature originates from a 1560 manuscript page produced in the Mughal imperial context and now held in the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The miniature originates from a 1560 manuscript page produced in the Mughal imperial context and now held in the Cleveland Museum of Art. It was created as part of an illuminated manuscript of the Tuti-nama, a Persian narrative of animal fables, and was commissioned within the Mughal artistic workshop. The work entered the museum's collection through a documented acquisition, preserving its provenance from the 16th-century manuscript to modern institutional custody.
The text page from the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama) is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The institution assigns the work the accession number 1962.279.182.b. Created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire, the piece is classified as a painting by an unknown artist. The provided records confirm its location and inventory details but do not list specific past exhibitions or loan history.
Context
The page originates from a 1560 manuscript produced in the Mughal Empire, reflecting the artistic milieu of that period. The work is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, which contextualizes its significance within the broader corpus of miniature painting from this era.
Overview
The object is a single folio from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). The page consists of dense black Persian calligraphy set against an aged, yellowed paper surface, edged with a narrow red border that frames the text.
Subject & Meaning
The inscription records a narrative addressed to a young prince named Salim, conveying moral or courtly themes typical of Persian literary tradition. Though the content is not reproduced here, the dedication suggests the work functioned as an educational or entertainment piece for royal audiences.
Technique & Style
The script is executed in a precise, decorative hand, with tightly arranged lines that fill the entire page. The calligrapher employs fluid curves and a consistent stroke weight, creating a visual rhythm reminiscent of puzzle‑like interlocking forms. The red border, likely painted with mineral pigments, provides a subtle visual counterpoint to the monochrome 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
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