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.
- 55.121.38.31
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1955
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Its iconography draws from Jain theological motifs, portraying figures or symbols associated with Jain doctrine and ascetic practice.
The work titled Untitled, dated 1449 and executed in ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, belongs to the religious genre and is classified as a Jain painting. Its iconography draws from Jain theological motifs, portraying figures or symbols associated with Jain doctrine and ascetic practice. The limited visual details recorded in the sources indicate a devotional context, where the composition likely conveys core Jain concepts such as non‑violence, spiritual purification, or the path to liberation.
As a religious artifact from 15th‑century India, the piece functions both as an artistic representation of Jain belief and as a material embodiment of the faith’s symbolic language.
Technique & Style
The painting Untitled, dated 1449, is executed on paper using ink, opaque watercolor, and gold leaf. Its dimensions are approximately 11.1 cm in height by 27 cm in width, and it was produced in India. The work belongs to the religious genre and depicts Jainist subject matter, reflecting the stylistic conventions of Jain manuscript painting. The medium combines fine ink line work with layered washes of opaque watercolor, accentuated by gold detailing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1449 in India, this anonymous religious painting depicting Jainism was executed using ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. The work, identified by the Metropolitan Museum of Art as accession number 55.121.38.31, currently resides within the museum's collection. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of the artist remain unknown, the piece is firmly dated to the mid-15th century.
No intermediate ownership history or prior exhibition records are provided in the available documentation, leaving the chain of custody prior to its acquisition by the Metropolitan Museum of Art unrecorded in these sources.
The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is identified by the accession number 55.121.38.31. According to the Wikidata record for the work, it has been associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art as both its collection and its location. The available sources do not document any exhibition history for this work, and no loans, displays, or prior showings are recorded in the provided references.
Overview
This untitled painting, rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, features a dense arrangement of small, haloed figures. Originating from Gujarat, India, it was created as part of a Jain manuscript. The composition is characterized by rows of dancing figures, their red and gold forms set against a shimmering gold leaf background, reflecting the reverence associated with its sacred purpose.
Context
This painting was originally conceived as an illustration within a Jain manuscript from Gujarat, India. Jainism emphasizes spiritual purity and non-violence, principles that influenced the creation of such works. These illuminated pages were not merely decorative but served to visually enhance and venerate the sacred texts, offering a contemplative visual experience for adherents.
Artist & collection
