Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a distemper painting. It dates from 1350 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1987.144
- Credit line
- Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 1987
About this work
A tall cloth scroll shows two men in long robes with a small horse between them. Their faces are calm, with dark eyes and thin mustaches. Made in eastern Tibet around 1350, it uses flat, unshaded color and simple lines, no background, just the figures, like a story we can no longer name.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a human male figure alongside an animal, establishing a direct representational link between the two subjects.
Created circa 1350, this distemper-on-cloth work is classified as a portrait. The composition depicts a human male figure alongside an animal, establishing a direct representational link between the two subjects. While the specific identity of the man and the species of the animal remain undefined in available records, their juxtaposition forms the central iconographic focus of the piece.
As a portrait, the artwork functions primarily as a likeness or representation of the depicted individual, with the inclusion of the animal potentially serving as an attribute or companion, though specific symbolic interpretations regarding their relationship are not detailed in the source material. The work's meaning is rooted in this dual depiction within the tradition of fourteenth-century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Executed in distemper on cloth, this circa 1350 painting measures approximately 68.6 cm in height and 54.6 cm in width. It belongs to the portrait genre and depicts a man together with an animal, a composition typical of early portraiture with a restrained palette. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection and was created in 1350. As a cloth support, it requires careful handling and stable environmental conditions.
Overview
This untitled painting, executed in distemper on cloth, originates from eastern Tibet and dates to approximately 1350. It depicts two figures in long robes flanking a small horse, rendered on a tall scroll. The composition is characterized by its directness, presenting the subjects without elaborate settings. This work offers insight into the artistic traditions of the region during the medieval period.
History & Provenance
Originating from eastern Tibet around 1350, this painting's specific history and original context are not fully documented. The medium of distemper on cloth was a prevalent choice for portable artworks in the region, often serving religious or narrative functions. The absence of a title for this particular piece suggests that its original designation or the specific story it illustrates may have become detached from the object over centuries.
Context
To fully appreciate this painting's aesthetic and cultural significance, it is beneficial to consider it within the broader artistic landscape of eastern Tibet. Its stylistic elements, such as the flat color application and linear emphasis, align with regional traditions of the period. Examining similar works can illuminate how this piece contributes to and reflects the visual conventions and narrative approaches prevalent in Tibetan art during the 14th century.
Artist & collection
