Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1416 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2000.282.10
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 2000
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The piece, classified as religious art and executed in opaque watercolor on paper in 1416, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The painting presents the bodhisattva Maitreya, identified as the future Buddha, as its central figure. This subject situates the work within a religious framework, reflecting messianic expectations in Buddhist thought. The depiction of Maitreya functions iconographically as a symbol of forthcoming spiritual renewal and hope.
The piece, classified as religious art and executed in opaque watercolor on paper in 1416, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
The work is an opaque watercolor painting on paper, measuring approximately 16 × 14.5 cm and dated to 1416. It was created by an anonymous artist and belongs to the religious genre, depicting the Buddhist figure Maitreya. The formal qualities are defined by its religious iconography and the delicate application of watercolor characteristic of the period's manuscript painting style.
History & Provenance
This anonymous religious painting, executed in opaque watercolor on paper and measuring 16 × 14.5 cm, depicts the bodhisattva Maitreya and is dated to 1416. Specific details regarding the original commission or the chain of ownership prior to its acquisition are not recorded. The work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
This untitled painting from early 15th-century Tibet depicts Maitreya, the future Buddha, seated on a lotus throne. Rendered in opaque watercolor, the golden figure is shown with a serene expression, hands in teaching gestures, and a luminous presence against a dark ground. Subtle red and blue accents adorn his robes, highlighting the rich, flat color application characteristic of the medium.
Artist & collection
