Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by After Li Gonglin in 1639.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Chinese Orthodox School.

Untitled by After Li Gonglin (1639) · Meaning & Museum

Accession no.: 47.136.2
Credit line: Anonymous Gift, 1947

About this work

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a handscroll painted in gold pigment on black paper, measuring approximately 26.

The work is executed as a handscroll painted in gold pigment on black paper, measuring approximately 26.7 cm in height and 384.2 cm in length, and was created in China in 1639. It belongs to the landscape genre and, despite being attributed to an anonymous painter, depicts animal forms alongside a human figure within a Buddhist thematic context. The surface bears the typical handling of a handscroll, designed for unrolling in sections, and the gold‑on‑black palette contributes to a striking formal contrast that emphasizes the outlined contours of the depicted forms.

History & Provenance

The work titled Untitled was produced in China in 1639, as indicated by its inception date and creation location. It is a handscroll executed in gold pigment on black paper, classifying it within the landscape genre and linking it stylistically to the school of Li Gonglin. The painting depicts a scene that incorporates animal forms, a human figure, and Buddhist iconography, reflecting contemporary thematic concerns.

Following its creation, the artwork entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view, establishing its modern ownership chain. No earlier owners are documented, and the piece is attributed to an anonymous painter working in the 17th‑century Chinese tradition.

The 1639 handscroll titled Untitled, attributed to a follower of Li Gonglin, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, executed in gold on black paper, measures 26.7 cm in height and 384.2 cm in width. While the piece is cataloged within the museum's paintings department as a landscape depicting Buddhist themes, animals, and human figures, the provided records do not specify a unique accession or inventory number.

Furthermore, available documentation confirms the work's location and inception but contains no details regarding its specific exhibition history or past showings.

Overview

This untitled painting is presented as a handscroll, crafted with gold pigment on black paper. Its elongated format is designed for sequential viewing, where the narrative or scene gradually reveals itself as the viewer unrolls it section by section. The artwork features intricate depictions of figures, creatures, and natural elements, rendered in a distinctive style.

Subject & Meaning

Within the expansive landscape of the scroll, miniature human figures and various animals navigate through stylized mountains and dense trees. The precise rendering of these elements contributes to a sense of a detailed, unfolding world. The continuous flow of the imagery across the scroll suggests a journey or a series of interconnected events.

Context

The creator of this handscroll remains unknown, yet its aesthetic qualities suggest an ancient origin, evoking the serene atmosphere often associated with sacred spaces. The visual characteristics and thematic elements align with traditions found in Buddhist art, indicating a potential spiritual or contemplative purpose for its creation and viewing.