Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting. It dates from 1699 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 60.124.2
- Credit line
- Seymour Fund, 1960
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The hanging scroll depicts the Buddha within a Buddhist religious context.
The hanging scroll depicts the Buddha within a Buddhist religious context. As an untitled religious painting executed in color on cloth, its subject matter is drawn directly from Buddhist iconography, presenting the Buddha as the central figure of veneration. The work belongs to a devotional tradition in which painted images of the Buddha served as objects of worship and contemplation, embodying the teachings and presence of Buddhism.
Classified as a religious painting and catalogued as depicting both the Buddha and Buddhism, the scroll functions as a visual representation of Buddhist belief rather than a narrative or secular scene.
Technique & Style
The work is a hanging scroll painted in color on cloth, a support typical of East Asian religious paintings from the late 17th century. Executed by an anonymous hand, the piece measures roughly 299.4 cm in height and 91.4 cm in width, as recorded in the Metropolitan Museum of Art catalogue. The surface bears pigments applied to a textile ground, producing a luminous, flat pictorial space that emphasizes the iconic figure of Buddha within a Buddhist narrative.
No detailed condition report is available, but the scroll’s formal composition follows traditional iconographic conventions, with stylized drapery and muted palette characteristic of the period.
History & Provenance
The work, titled Untitled, is a religious hanging scroll created in 1699 by an anonymous artist. Executed in color on cloth, the piece depicts figures associated with Buddhism, specifically Buddha. It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within the paintings genre.
The artwork measures 299.4 in height and 91.4 in width. While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the available records, the creation date is firmly established as 1699. The work remains attributed to an unknown painter, reflecting the anonymous nature of its origin within the historical context of Buddhist art.
The 1699 hanging scroll titled Untitled is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While specific inventory or accession numbers are not detailed in the available records, the institution serves as both the current owner and location for the work. The provided sources confirm the painting's presence within the museum's holdings but do not list specific past exhibitions or a detailed exhibition history for this piece.
Overview
This untitled painting is a hanging scroll crafted from colored cloth. It features a golden Buddha seated in a cross-legged posture upon a lotus flower, with hands resting in his lap. Originally intended for a Thai temple, this artwork served a devotional purpose, differing significantly from objects created for museum display.
Context
This scroll was specifically created for active engagement within a Thai temple, rather than for passive observation in a gallery. Its daily use involved direct interaction from monks or artists, who would have touched it while performing rituals, such as lighting lamps or offering prayers. This continuous engagement highlights its role as a living devotional object.
Artist & collection
