Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Krishna’s presence signifies divine love and protection, while the cow and bird reference abundance and spiritual messengers common in Hindu iconography.
The painting Untitled, created circa 1760 in India, portrays the Hindu god Krishna alongside a woman, a cow, and a bird, elements that together convey a devotional narrative. Krishna’s presence signifies divine love and protection, while the cow and bird reference abundance and spiritual messengers common in Hindu iconography. The inclusion of gold highlights the sacred context, and the work’s classification as a religious painting underscores its ritual purpose.
Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, the piece reflects the artistic conventions of 18th‑century Indian devotional art and is presently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
The artwork is a religious painting dated to circa 1760 and made in India. It is executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold applied to a paper support, as indicated by its medium. The composition depicts Krishna accompanied by a woman, cattle, and a bird, illustrating a Hindu narrative.
The use of ink for line work, opaque watercolor for flat color areas, and gold highlights characterizes its technique. No information on its current condition or handling is provided in the sources.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with an attribution to an anonymous Indian artist active around 1760, aligning with the internal record and Wikidata entry for the work. Both sources place the date of creation and earliest ownership in the mid-eighteenth century, indicating the piece was produced in India during the late Mughal or early regional Rajput period. The work is consistently dated to 1760 and depicts a scene associated with Krishna, suggesting a devotional context likely commissioned for private or courtly worship rather than public display.
Overview
This untitled painting, rendered with ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, depicts a serene outdoor scene. A woman, dressed in a red sari, occupies a swing suspended from a tree, holding its rope. Nearby, a cow and several birds observe the setting.
The composition is characterized by its vibrant palette and the luminous quality imparted by gold leaf, evoking a narrative or devotional atmosphere.
Context
Originating from India, this painting was produced for a Hindu family during an unspecified historical period. Such works were typically commissioned to adorn homes or private spaces, reflecting the family's spiritual beliefs and cultural heritage. The artwork stands as an example of the rich tradition of Indian devotional painting, intended to inspire contemplation and connection to religious narratives.
Artist & collection
- Untitled
Taking of the toll, Dana-Lila
Taking of the Toll, Dana-Lila
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Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan
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Gujari Ragini (Krishna with Gopis Playing the Flute), from a Ragamala Series
Malar Ragini: Krishna Playing the Flute to Seven Gopis Holding Musical Instruments, from the Ragamala Series
Krishna
Krishna Exacts a Toll from the Milkmaids: Dana-Lila, from a Bhagavata Purana
Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan
Krishna and the Gopis Gather for Rasamandala
