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 leaf from an ancient manuscript titled Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).
About this work
Overview
The object is a single leaf from an ancient manuscript titled Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). It consists of a page of yellowed paper on which a passage of text is rendered in black ink. A narrow decorative border frames the sheet, emphasizing its function as a written document rather than a conventional painted panel.
Technique & Style
The inscription is executed in a flowing hand, marked by elaborate curls and ornamental flourishes that suggest a high level of calligraphic skill. The inked lines contrast sharply with the aged, uneven surface of the paper, whose rough texture and discoloration convey the passage of time.
Context
As a page from Tales of a Parrot, the work belongs to a broader tradition of illustrated manuscripts that transmitted stories across linguistic and cultural boundaries. The foreign language of the text points to a regional literary tradition that employed elaborate calligraphy to enhance the narrative’s prestige.
History & Provenance
The sheet’s current condition, marked by surface wear, discoloration, and a fragile border, reflects centuries of handling and storage. Its survival offers scholars a tangible example of manuscript production techniques and aesthetic preferences within its originating culture.
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
