Artwork

Bowl

Bowl, unspecified, 1350
Bowl, unspecified, 1350

Bowl is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1350 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This anonymous work, dated to about 1350, is decorated with the figure of a woman and a flower. As the subject matter is limited to these two motifs, the piece presents a straightforward image without the complex allegorical layers detailed in the available records. The composition pairs the female figure with the floral element, establishing a simple yet distinct decorative scheme.

History & Provenance

The work, titled Bowl and dated to about 1350, depicts a woman and a flower.

The work, titled Bowl and dated to about 1350, depicts a woman and a flower. It was formerly owned by Robert Lehman before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is held as part of the Robert Lehman Collection. No specific details regarding the original commission or the precise circumstances of its creation are provided in the available records, and the sources do not specify a unique accession number or document any exhibition history for the work.

Technique & Style

The work is an anonymous painting created circa 1350 and currently held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as part of the Robert Lehman collection. It depicts a flower and a woman, suggesting a compositional focus on botanical and figurative motifs. The piece is attributed to the 14th‑century Persian artistic tradition and is classified within the broader category of painting, reflecting a stylistic emphasis on delicate line work and muted coloration typical of contemporary manuscript illumination.

Legacy

The painting's inclusion in Robert Lehman's collection and its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art have cemented its reputation within art-historical discourse, though it remains attributed to an anonymous hand. Its status as a representative example of 14th-century panel painting continues to inform scholarly studies of medieval artistic practice.

Overview

The work is a painted bowl depicting a garden scene with two upright figures. The composition is set against a backdrop of vivid blue blossoms and verdant foliage, enclosed by a repeating floral motif that frames the central action.

Context

The garden setting, floral borders, and use of bright primary colors align the piece with decorative traditions that emphasize harmony between figure and nature, often found in ceremonial or domestic objects.

Bowl
Bowl

Artist & collection