Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1449 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
A woman in a red robe sits on a golden throne, nursing a baby while two attendants fan her. Made for a Jain prayer book in Gujarat around 1450, the tender scene stands out, since Jain art rarely showed the human body. The gold leaf was more than decoration; it stood for divine light.
Subject & Meaning
While the specific identities of the figures are not detailed in the available records, the composition emphasizes the maternal bond within a sacred context.
Created in 1449, this religious painting from India depicts a scene rooted in Jainism. The central iconography features a queen breastfeeding an infant. While the specific identities of the figures are not detailed in the available records, the composition emphasizes the maternal bond within a sacred context.
The work serves as a visual representation of Jain religious narratives, utilizing the intimate act of nursing to convey themes of care and lineage significant to the faith. The inclusion of gold and opaque watercolor on paper highlights the spiritual importance of the subject matter, elevating a domestic moment into a object of religious veneration.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in ink, opaque watercolor and gold leaf applied to a paper support (1). The delicate line work and subtle washes create a formal composition that emphasizes the intimate narrative of a queen nursing an infant within a Jain devotional context (1). The painting’s modest dimensions (11.1 × 27 cm) and the use of gold accents highlight its ritual function, while the handling of figures reflects traditional Indian manuscript conventions (2).
Its condition is recorded only as a preserved painting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, with no noted damage (2).
History & Provenance
Created in 1449 on the Indian subcontinent, this religious painting was executed by an anonymous artist using ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. The work, classified within the Jain tradition, depicts a queen breastfeeding an infant. While the specific commissioning patron and the initial ownership chain prior to modern times are not detailed in the available records, the artwork is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The piece measures 11.1 cm in height and 27 cm in width. Its creation date is precisely recorded as January 1, 1449, situating it within the mid-15th century artistic production of India.
Overview
This untitled painting, executed with ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, depicts a seated woman in a red robe, breastfeeding an infant. Flanked by two fanning attendants, she occupies a golden throne. Created around 1450 in Gujarat, this miniature work was originally part of a Jain prayer book, offering a rare glimpse into humanistic representation within the tradition.
Context
The artwork provides insight into the visual culture of Jainism during the 15th century. While Jain tradition often emphasizes abstract symbols or idealized figures, this painting stands out for its direct depiction of a human mother and child. This choice of subject matter offers a unique perspective on the artistic expressions found within Jain devotional literature of the period.
Artist & collection
