Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting. It dates from 1699 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The hanging scroll presents a golden Buddha seated in the classic lotus posture, his hands resting gently in his lap.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a hanging scroll rendered in color on canvas, the subject serves as the central focus for contemplation and veneration.
The work depicts the Buddha, consistent with its classification as a religious painting. Created in 1699 by an anonymous artist, the image functions as a devotional object within a Buddhist context. As a hanging scroll rendered in color on canvas, the subject serves as the central focus for contemplation and veneration.
The iconography is straightforward, presenting the figure of the Buddha without additional narrative elements or complex symbolic apparatuses described in the available records.
Technique & Style
Created in 1699, this religious painting depicting Buddha is executed as a hanging scroll using color on canvas. The work measures 268 cm in height and 91.4 cm in width. Classified within the genre of religious paintings, the piece is attributed to an unknown artist.
The medium combines traditional scroll format with canvas support, distinguishing it from typical paper or silk hangings of the period.
History & Provenance
The untitled hanging scroll, dated 1699, was created by an anonymous painter and depicts the Buddha. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its religious paintings and measures 268 cm in height and 91.4 cm in width. No accession number or exhibition history is recorded in the available sources, and no commission or early ownership history is documented prior to the museum's acquisition.
Overview
The hanging scroll presents a golden Buddha seated in the classic lotus posture, his hands resting gently in his lap. The figure’s serene expression, with half‑closed eyes and a subtle smile, is set against an unadorned dark background, allowing the luminous form to dominate the composition.
Context
Within Thai Buddhist visual culture, the seated Buddha on a lotus is a standard iconographic motif, symbolizing purity and spiritual awakening. The scroll’s pared‑down presentation aligns with the practice of using such images for personal meditation spaces, where simplicity aids focus.
Artist & collection
