Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1981.461
- Credit line
- Gift of William H. Wolff, 1981
About this work
A blue-skinned god drives a golden chariot pulled by white horses, two monkeys clinging to the wheels. From Orissa in eastern India, around 1840. The god is Krishna, a playful hero of Hindu stories, painted in bright, flat colors and bold outlines with no shading. The monkeys belong to the tale, helping Krishna on his adventures. For more, look up Krishna.
Subject & Meaning
The work functions as a visual representation of these figures and their interaction, captured through the medium of ink and opaque watercolor on paper.
Created in 1840 by an anonymous artist in India, this work belongs to the genre of mythology and centers on the Hindu deity Krishna. The composition depicts Krishna with a horse-drawn chariot, accompanied by a monkey. As a mythological scene, the imagery illustrates a narrative moment from Hindu tradition.
The inclusion of the monkey alongside the chariot and horse serves as key iconography identifying the mythological context. The work functions as a visual representation of these figures and their interaction, captured through the medium of ink and opaque watercolor on paper.
Technique & Style
Created in 1840 in India, this work is executed in ink and opaque watercolor on a paper support. The painting measures 23.8 cm in height by 32.1 cm in width. The composition depicts a mythological scene with Krishna, a horse, a chariot, and a monkey.
The application of opaque watercolor produces solid areas of color alongside linear ink definitions. No specific information regarding the current physical condition or detailed handling history of the object is recorded in the available sources.
History & Provenance
The work is an anonymous painting in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, dated 1840 and produced in India, depicting Krishna with a chariot, horse, and monkey. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. No information about a commissioning party, prior owners, accession number, or exhibition history is provided in the available sources.
Overview
This untitled painting, rendered in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, originates from Orissa, eastern India, dating to approximately 1840. It depicts the Hindu deity Krishna, characterized by his blue skin, seated in a golden chariot drawn by white horses. Two monkeys are notably positioned clinging to the chariot's wheels, integral to the narrative unfolding within the composition.
Context
This painting belongs to a broader tradition of visual storytelling centered on the life and deeds of Krishna. Artworks featuring this deity are prevalent across various Indian artistic traditions, offering insights into regional interpretations of religious narratives. Examining other depictions of Krishna can reveal stylistic and thematic variations.
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