Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, distemper, 1250
Untitled, distemper, 1250

Untitled is a distemper painting. It dates from 1250 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1991.74
Credit line
Purchase, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Philanthropic Fund Gift, 1991

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as a religious painting.

Untitled (c. 1250) depicts Amoghasiddhi, one of the five Wisdom Buddhas, accompanied by a Bodhisattva. In Vajrayana iconography Amoghasiddhi is associated with the accomplishment of spiritual goals and with the vishvavajra (double vajra), a symbol of indestructible wisdom, while the attendant Bodhisattva represents compassionate activity. This anonymous distemper-on-cloth painting reflects the transmission of esoteric Buddhist doctrine through visual symbolism in the thirteenth-century Himalayan tradition.

The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as a religious painting.

Technique & Style

Created around 1250 by an anonymous artist, this religious painting uses distemper applied directly onto a cloth support. The work measures 68.9 cm in height and 54 cm in width, presenting a vertical format typical of its genre. Stylistically it depicts the Buddha, a Bodhisattva, and the specific figure of Amoghasiddhi, adhering to established iconographic conventions of the period.

The use of distemper on cloth suggests a portable medium, distinct from panel or wall painting traditions. As a religious artifact, its formal qualities serve a devotional function, focusing on the spiritual representation of the figures through pigment bound in a water-soluble medium on a textile ground.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1250, this distemper-on-cloth painting is by an anonymous artist and depicts Amoghasiddhi, a Bodhisattva, and the Buddha. It measures approximately 68.9 by 54 centimetres and is classified within the genre of religious art. The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The specific circumstances of its commission and its chain of ownership prior to the museum's acquisition are not detailed in the available records, and no specific accession number, past exhibitions, or loan history is documented in the source material.

Overview

This untitled painting, rendered in distemper on cloth, presents a vibrant visual composition. A central blue-green Buddha figure dominates the tall scroll, encircled by smaller individuals adorned in red and gold garments. The artwork's age and the delicate nature of its medium contribute to its rarity, offering a glimpse into historical artistic practices and the profound skill of its creator.

Context

This painting aligns with artistic traditions found in central Tibet, a region renowned for its rich heritage of Buddhist art. The stylistic elements, including the color palette and figural representations, are consistent with works produced in that area. Exploring other examples from central Tibet can provide further understanding of the cultural and religious context from which this piece emerged.

Untitled
Untitled

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Byzantine icon painting.