Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1449 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 55.121.38.74
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1955
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, it was produced in India and is now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession 55.
This untitled 1449 painting belongs to the religious genre and is classified as a Jain work, depicting subjects associated with Jainism. Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, it was produced in India and is now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession 55.121.38.74). As a devotional image, it would have functioned within the iconographic tradition of Jain religious art, presenting figures or symbols central to the faith for veneration or contemplation.
The combination of precious gold leaf with mineral-based pigments on paper reflects standard practices for sacred Jain manuscripts and folios of the period, materials chosen to convey spiritual luminosity and reverence.
Technique & Style
Created in 1449 in India, this religious painting utilizes ink, opaque watercolor, and gold applied to a paper support. The work measures 11.1 cm in height by 27 cm in width. The piece exemplifies material choices characteristic of the region and period, combining metallic elements with pigment to achieve its visual effect. The classification as a painting within the religious genre highlights its function and stylistic context.
History & Provenance
This ink, opaque watercolor, and gold painting on paper is dated to 1449 and was created in India. It belongs to the religious genre and depicts imagery associated with Jainism. The painting is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, listed under accession number 55.121.38.74.
Its dimensions are 11.1 cm by 27 cm. No records of a specific commission or earlier owners are provided; the known provenance begins with its acquisition by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
This untitled painting, rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, depicts a central female figure seated on an elaborate golden throne. She holds a book and a flower, while small figures kneel at her feet. The background features a luminous sky, created with delicate gold leaf, contributing to the work's overall richness. This piece originated as an illustration within a Jain manuscript.
Context
This painting is an integral component of a Jain manuscript, originating from the Gujarat region of India. Such illustrated texts served to disseminate and preserve the teachings and stories of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion. The inclusion of detailed imagery like this piece enhanced the spiritual and aesthetic value of these sacred documents, making complex narratives accessible to devotees.
Artist & collection
