Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by After Wu Daozi in 1164.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Tang dynasty painting.

Untitled by After Wu Daozi (1164) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in China as a hanging scroll utilizing ink, color, and gold on silk, the painting serves as a devotional representation of Buddhism.

The work depicts a Bodhisattva, a central figure in Buddhist iconography, set within a religious genre context. Created in China as a hanging scroll utilizing ink, color, and gold on silk, the painting serves as a devotional representation of Buddhism. While the specific identity of the Bodhisattva is not detailed in the available records, the subject matter aligns with traditional religious imagery associated with the school of Wu Daozi.

The inclusion of gold suggests a focus on spiritual radiance or sanctity, reinforcing the sacred nature of the depicted deity. As an anonymous creation, the piece functions primarily as an object of veneration rather than a narrative scene, emphasizing the presence of the divine figure within the Buddhist tradition.

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a hanging scroll utilizing ink, color, and gold applied directly onto a silk support. Created in China by an anonymous artist, the piece reflects religious genre conventions associated with Buddhist imagery, specifically depicting a Bodhisattva. The formal composition measures 100.3 cm in height and 49.8 cm in width.

The integration of gold alongside traditional ink and pigment on the silk ground characterizes the material handling and stylistic approach of this religious painting. These physical attributes and dimensions are consistent with the object's classification as a painting within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Context

The hanging scroll titled Untitled, executed in ink, color, and gold on silk, belongs to the religious genre of Chinese Buddhist art and portrays a Bodhisattva, reflecting Buddhist iconography. Its formal attributes, dimensions of 100.3 cm by 49.8 cm, and its creation in China align with the tradition of early medieval scroll painting, situating it within the lineage influenced by the celebrated master Wu Daozi. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, recorded in the museum’s catalogue as an anonymous painting of Buddhist subject matter.

Scholarship on the piece emphasizes its role as an exemplar of post‑Wu Daozi Buddhist painting, highlighting the anonymous painter’s contribution to the religious visual culture of medieval China.

Overview

This hanging scroll, titled "Untitled," dates to 1164 and depicts a Bodhisattva, a significant figure in Buddhist tradition. Rendered with ink, color, and gold on silk, the artwork is attributed to the artistic lineage of Wu Daozi. It features a golden-robed figure gracefully floating on clouds, with one hand raised in a gesture of blessing, embodying spiritual guidance.