Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Dalchand in ca. 1720–30.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Untitled by Dalchand (ca. 1720–30) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper in 1725, the piece originates from the Rajasthan region and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The work portrays a solitary male figure mounted on a horse, gripping a bow and arrow, embodying the equestrian imagery characteristic of Rajasthani miniature painting. The composition emphasizes martial readiness through the combination of rider, steed, and projectile weaponry, reflecting the cultural emphasis on horsemanship and archery in eighteenth-century Rajput contexts. Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper in 1725, the piece originates from the Rajasthan region and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, this small-scale work by Dalchand measures 20.3 by 20.3 centimeters. The combination of drawn ink line, layered opaque pigment, and applied gold is characteristic of Rajput court painting traditions produced in Rajasthan during the early eighteenth century. The compact, square format supports a tightly composed equestrian scene depicting a mounted figure with bow and arrow, allowing the gold detailing to function as both decorative highlight and narrative accent within the image field.

History & Provenance

Untitled, a 1725 ink, opaque watercolor, and gold painting on paper by Dalchand, was produced in Rajasthan, India. The work portrays a mounted equestrian figure with a bow and arrow and measures 20.3 × 20.3 cm. Dalchand was active in the early eighteenth century. The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The provided sources do not list a specific accession or inventory number for the work, nor do they detail any exhibition history beyond its current collection status.

Context

Untitled (1725) by Dalchand exemplifies early Rajasthani miniature practice, combining ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper to depict a figure with a bow and arrow on a horse, a motif linked to equestrian warfare. Its creation in Rajasthan is documented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's records, situating the work within the broader corpus of eighteenth-century Indian court painting.

Overview

This untitled painting, executed with ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, depicts a dynamic hunting scene. Despite its diminutive scale, comparable to a postcard, the artwork is characterized by its intricate detail and vibrant portrayal. It captures a central figure on horseback, poised with a bow and arrow, observed by two accompanying attendants.