Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, ink, 1790
Untitled, ink, 1790

Untitled is an ink painting. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

A woman sits on the edge of a stone fountain, smoke curling from a long hookah pipe, the mood as still as a garden in late afternoon. The drawing comes from the Punjab Hills of northern India, around 1790, where artists worked for local rulers. There is no color, just careful ink lines.

Subject & Meaning

The work, created in India around 1790, portrays a genre scene centered on a woman engaged in smoking a hookah beside a fountain.

The work, created in India around 1790, portrays a genre scene centered on a woman engaged in smoking a hookah beside a fountain. As an anonymous painting held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the composition focuses on the leisurely activity of smoking rather than a specific historical narrative or mythological event. The inclusion of the fountain and the hookah suggests a setting of domestic relaxation or private recreation.

The subject matter reflects everyday life, categorizing the piece as a genre scene that documents social customs and material culture of the period without overt allegorical symbolism.

Technique & Style

Created in 1790 in India, this anonymous work is executed in ink on paper. The piece measures 17.8 cm in height and 12.7 cm in width. Classified as a genre scene, the composition depicts a woman smoking a hookah near a fountain.

The handling of the ink medium allows for the delineation of these specific figures and settings within the small format. The work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

History & Provenance

Created in 1790 in India, this ink-on-paper work is attributed to an anonymous artist. The piece, which depicts a genre scene featuring a woman smoking a hookah near a fountain, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the details of its ownership chain prior to museum acquisition are not documented in the available records, its inception date and place of origin are established as 1790 and India, respectively.

The artwork titled Untitled, an ink-on-paper painting created in 1790 by an anonymous Indian artist, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The institution serves as both the owner and the physical location for the piece. While the work is cataloged within the museum's holdings, the provided records do not specify a distinct inventory or accession number, nor do they detail any past or current exhibition history for this specific object.

Overview

This untitled work, an ink drawing on paper, depicts a solitary figure in a serene setting. Created in the Punjab Hills region of northern India around 1790, it exemplifies the detailed draftsmanship prevalent in the courtly art of that period. The piece offers a glimpse into the artistic practices and visual culture supported by local rulers, who often commissioned such intimate and carefully rendered images.

Context

Originating from the Punjab Hills in northern India around the late 18th century, this drawing reflects the artistic environment of the time. During this period, numerous small, detailed pictures were produced by artists who were typically employed by local rulers. These patrons fostered a tradition of intricate draftsmanship, commissioning works that often captured scenes of daily life, courtly activities, or individual portraits, contributing to a rich visual heritage.

Untitled
Untitled, Ranjha

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Mughal Painting.