Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Kitaharasa, distemper, 1379
Untitled, by Kitaharasa, distemper, 1379

Untitled is a distemper painting by Kitaharasa. It dates from 1379 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created around 1379, the piece originates from Nepal and is executed in distemper on cotton.

The work is classified as a religious painting that depicts a deity. Created around 1379, the piece originates from Nepal and is executed in distemper on cotton. While the specific identity of the divine figure is not detailed in the available records, the classification confirms its function as a devotional image representing a god or goddess.

As a religious genre work, its primary meaning lies in its representation of the sacred, serving as a visual focus for spiritual veneration within the context of Nepalese art history.

Technique & Style

The work, titled Untitled, is executed in distemper on a cotton support, a technique typical of Nepalese painting of the late fourteenth century. Its medium and support indicate a portable, devotional format, and the painting is classified as a religious work that depicts a deity. Created circa 1379 in Nepal, the piece was later acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held.

As a religious painting, it employs a restrained palette and flattened spatial relationships characteristic of early Himalayan art, emphasizing iconographic clarity over naturalistic rendering.

Overview

Created by Kitaharasa in 1379, the painting "Untitled" is a religious work executed in distemper on cotton. This piece depicts a powerful deity, rendered with striking visual elements. Its remarkable preservation over more than six centuries allows for appreciation of the artist's technique and the enduring vibrancy of its colors, a testament to the materials used.

Context

The artwork exhibits signs of its considerable age, including a visible crack that extends down the left side of the cotton support. Despite such natural wear, the painting's overall condition speaks to its careful preservation over centuries. Today, this historical religious painting is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is accessible for public viewing.

Three Mandalas
Three Mandalas

Artist & collection

Portrait of Kitaharasa

Artist

Kitaharasa

Kitaharasa’s paintings feel like letters from the past, written in a code of color and cloth.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kitaharasa in likely 1379.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.