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.
- 55.121.38.71
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1955
About this work
Technique & Style
The painting Untitled (1449) is executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold leaf on paper, a technique typical of Indian Jain manuscript illumination.
The painting Untitled (1449) is executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold leaf on paper, a technique typical of Indian Jain manuscript illumination. Its support is paper, and the work belongs to the religious genre, depicting Jain narrative subjects. Measured at 11.1 cm in height and 27 cm in width, it was produced in India during the mid‑15th century.
The piece is classified as a painting within the broader corpus of religious art. No information regarding its current condition or handling history is provided in the available documentation.
History & Provenance
The work was created in 1449, a dating consistent with both the institutional record and the Wikidata entry, which specifies an inception date of 1 January 1449. It was produced in India, where the artist, who remains anonymous, executed the composition in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. No information is available regarding the circumstances of its commission, the identity of the patron, or the individual responsible for its creation.
The provenance of the piece prior to its acquisition by the Metropolitan Museum of Art is likewise undocumented in the available sources. The painting's current location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, under the accession designation MET 55.121.38.71, confirms its institutional ownership, but the chain of custody leading to that collection cannot be traced from the provided material.
The work titled Untitled, created in 1449, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its official accession number is 55.121.38.71. The piece, an anonymous religious painting depicting Jainism executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, is classified within the museum's paintings department.
While the source material confirms its current location and inventory status, it provides no specific details regarding a history of public exhibitions or loan records for this specific object.
Overview
This untitled painting, rendered with ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, depicts a woman seated beneath a tree, engrossed in a book. She is dressed in a red sari, and the scene is framed by a floral border. The artwork originates from a Jain manuscript created in Gujarat, India, reflecting the distinct visual traditions of the region.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a woman in a red sari, holds a book, suggesting a focus on learning or spiritual study. The sky is adorned with numerous gold dots, which carry symbolic weight within Jain philosophy, often interpreted as representing celestial bodies or individual souls. This visual richness aligns with Jain principles, where vibrant colors and precious materials like gold signify reverence for all forms of life.
Context
This painting is an example of illumination from a Jain manuscript produced in Gujarat, India. The artistic choices, including the use of brilliant colors and gold, reflect the core tenets of Jainism. Adherents to this religion emphasize non-violence and respect for all living beings, and these values are often expressed visually through the careful and radiant embellishment of sacred texts.
Artist & collection
