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 leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama).

About this work

Overview

This object is a single leaf from the illustrated manuscript known as the Tales of a Parrot (Tuti‑nama). The sheet consists primarily of a block of text rendered in a flowing hand, without accompanying illustration. It forms part of a larger codex that narrates stories, and its design is deliberately restrained, allowing the script to dominate the visual field.

Subject & Meaning

The page contains a passage written in a language that has not been positively identified, suggesting the manuscript may have been intended for a multilingual courtly audience. The narrative content aligns with the broader tradition of Persian and Central Asian storytelling, where a parrot often serves as a narrator or moral commentator, though the specific episode on this leaf remains obscure.

Technique & Style

The text is executed in an unknown medium, likely ink applied to paper or parchment, using a fluid cursive script characteristic of courtly manuscripts of the early modern period. The lettering displays a graceful, continuous line, emphasizing legibility and elegance over decorative illumination, which is consistent with utilitarian sections of such works.

History & Provenance

The leaf was produced for Prince Salim, a royal patron whose identity points to a Mughal or related South Asian court. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is now catalogued as a painting despite its manuscript nature, reflecting historical classification practices.

Context

Within the tradition of Tuti‑nama manuscripts, textual pages alternate with richly illustrated scenes. This particular sheet exemplifies the textual component, providing insight into the narrative structure and the patron’s interest in literary culture. Its creation for a prince underscores the role of such books as status objects and vehicles for moral instruction.