Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, watercolor, 1812
Untitled, watercolor, 1812

Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

It belongs to the religious genre and portrays the Hindu deity Krishna together with cattle and a man, figures that recur in devotional imagery.

The work is an anonymous 1812 painting executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper. It belongs to the religious genre and portrays the Hindu deity Krishna together with cattle and a man, figures that recur in devotional imagery. The composition reflects traditional iconography in which Krishna is associated with pastoral life and the protection of livestock.

The painting measures 24.4 cm in height and 38.7 cm in width and was created in India; it is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Technique & Style

Created in 1812, this work is executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper. The piece measures 24.4 cm in height and 38.7 cm in width. Classified as a religious painting, the composition depicts the deity Krishna alongside cattle and a man. The work originates from India and is attributed to an anonymous artist.

History & Provenance

The work, titled Untitled, is an anonymous painting created in 1812. It depicts the Hindu deity Krishna alongside cattle and a man, executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper. The piece originated in India and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum lists the piece as a painting by an anonymous artist created in India in 1812. The provided sources do not contain any information regarding an exhibition history for this specific untitled work.

Context

The work titled Untitled is an 1812 Indian religious painting executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, depicting Krishna alongside cattle and a male figure. Its authorship is attributed to an anonymous painter, and it is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which documents its dimensions as 24.4 cm by 38.7 cm. As a late‑early‑19th‑century example of Indian devotional art, the piece situates itself within the broader tradition of Krishna‑centric imagery that flourished under regional patronage, reflecting the stylistic continuity between courtly and popular religious subjects of the period.

Overview

This untitled painting, rendered in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, depicts a blue-skinned figure playing a flute amidst a gathering of cows. The composition is characterized by its directness, utilizing clear ink outlines and vibrant, unmodulated colors. It presents a tranquil scene, inviting contemplation of the central figure and his animal companions.

Krishna Fluting
Krishna Fluting

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 Romanticism.