Who painted Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page?

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page was painted by Unknown in 1560.

Where can I see Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page?

Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama): text page is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

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 by Unknown. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This object is a single page from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).

About this work

Overview

This object is a single page from the illustrated manuscript known as Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). Executed as a painted page, it consists solely of calligraphic text rendered in black ink on a pale ground, bordered by a narrow red strip. The composition lacks any pictorial elements, focusing entirely on the written narrative.

Subject & Meaning

The script presents a continuous story, likely a moral or anecdotal tale, typical of Persian literary tradition. Variations in word size suggest emphasis on particular passages, guiding the reader’s attention through the narrative flow.

Technique & Style

The calligraphy is executed in fluid, curved strokes, with subtle modulation of ink density that creates a sense of movement. The black pigment, applied with a brush, shows slight variations in line thickness, while the surrounding red border is painted with a fine brush, delineating the text block.

History & Provenance

The page originates from a hand‑written manuscript produced in the Persianate world, where Tuti‑nama was a popular genre. The specific copy’s provenance is not detailed, but such pages were often compiled by court scribes or scholars for private collections.

Context

Tuti‑nama manuscripts combined literary content with decorative calligraphy, reflecting a cultural emphasis on the visual presentation of text. The absence of illustration on this page aligns with a tradition of dedicating certain folios solely to prose, allowing the script itself to serve as ornament.

Legacy

Pages like this illustrate the intersection of literary art and visual design in pre‑modern Persia, informing contemporary understandings of manuscript production, calligraphic aesthetics, and the transmission of storytelling across centuries.