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 painted page from the illustrated manuscript Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
History & Provenance
It was produced in 1560 within the Mughal Empire and entered the museum's collection as part of its holdings of South Asian painting.
The page was created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire, during the early period of imperial manuscript production under Akbar. It is classified as a painting and forms part of the dispersed set of leaves from the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama). The work is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under the accession number 1962.279.13.a. No further details of commission, intermediate ownership, or acquisition history are documented in the available sources.
The page is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under inventory number 1962.279.13.a. It was produced in 1560 within the Mughal Empire and entered the museum's collection as part of its holdings of South Asian painting.
No exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.
Overview
The object is a single painted page from the illustrated manuscript Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). Rendered in black ink on a warm, golden‑brown ground, the page is densely filled with tightly arranged script, punctuated by small framed text blocks and occasional blue dots that serve as decorative accents.
Subject & Meaning
The text presents a narrative from the Tuti‑nama, a collection of moral stories traditionally recited to entertain and instruct. This particular leaf was produced for Prince Salim, indicating its role as a personalized literary gift, intended to convey both literary refinement and courtly patronage.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is executed in a flowing black script, each line rendered with consistent pressure, resulting in slightly faded ink that contrasts with the warm background. Small ornamental boxes enclose sections of the text, while minute blue pigment dots add visual interest, reflecting a careful balance between readability and decorative embellishment.
Context
During the Mughal era, illustrated manuscripts such as the Tuti‑nama served as vehicles for cultural exchange, blending Persian literary themes with Indian artistic sensibilities. The inclusion of decorative elements like blue dots and framed text reflects contemporary aesthetic preferences for richly detailed, yet legible, courtly productions.
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
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
