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 object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama or Tales of a Parrot.
About this work
History & Provenance
The work has been part of the museum's collection since its acquisition, forming part of the broader Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama) manuscript series.
This text page from the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama) was created in 1560 within the Mughal Empire. The work is attributed to an unknown artist and represents a painting from the mid-sixteenth century. It subsequently entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently held under the accession number 1962.279.259.a.
The text page originates from a 1560 manuscript produced in the Mughal Empire and is currently housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art. It is cataloged under the accession number 1962.279.259.a. The work has been part of the museum's collection since its acquisition, forming part of the broader Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama) manuscript series.
Exhibitions featuring the manuscript have included presentations of Mughal miniature paintings at the Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific exhibition dates are not detailed in the available documentation.
Context
This painting exemplifies Mughal artistic production of the mid-sixteenth century, reflecting the cosmopolitan patronage and narrative traditions of the imperial court. The work belongs to the broader corpus of Persianate illustration produced in India under imperial sponsorship, where textual manuscripts served as vehicles for cultural exchange. Its composition and stylistic treatment connect to the artistic milieu of the imperial workshop, situating it within the trajectory of courtly visual storytelling in early modern South Asia.
Overview
This object is a painted page from the Persian manuscript known as the Tuti‑nama or Tales of a Parrot. Executed in ink on a light‑toned surface, the page is entirely covered with flowing black script that occupies the whole field, creating a dense yet orderly visual texture.
Subject & Meaning
The page contains a continuous narrative written in a lyrical style, suggesting a story meant to be read slowly, almost as verse. The text likely recounts one of the moral or romantic tales traditionally associated with the Tuti‑nama, a collection of fables featuring a parrot as a storyteller.
Technique & Style
The calligraphy is rendered in a single, fluid black ink, with letters that often join in long, sweeping strokes. Decorative motifs of tiny dots and linear patterns line the margins, forming a subtle border that frames the script without interrupting its rhythm.
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
