Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a wood painting. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1816 by an anonymous artist, the polychrome wood sculpture centers on the religious iconography of the Buddhist tradition.
The work depicts a seated male figure identified as the Buddha, serving as a visual representation of Buddhism. Created in 1816 by an anonymous artist, the polychrome wood sculpture centers on the religious iconography of the Buddhist tradition. The subject is rendered as a man, emphasizing the human form within a spiritual context.
As an artifact of Buddhist art, the piece functions as a devotional image representing the core tenets and figure of the religion. The composition focuses entirely on this singular religious figure, establishing the work's primary meaning as a representation of Buddhist faith and the historical or mythological person of the Buddha.
History & Provenance
The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is inventoried as accession number 1975.1.109. It has not been recorded in major exhibitions since its acquisition, and its display history within the museum’s holdings remains undocumented in available sources.
Overview
This untitled wooden sculpture depicts a seated figure, likely the Buddha, crafted in Sri Lanka during the early 19th century. The artwork presents a calm and meditative presence through its simple form and subtle application of color. Its cross-legged posture and serene facial expression, with half-closed eyes, convey a sense of inner tranquility. The piece exemplifies a straightforward aesthetic, prioritizing spiritual contemplation over elaborate ornamentation.
Technique & Style
Carved from wood, the sculpture is enhanced with polychrome, a technique involving the application of thin layers of paint. This method imparts color to the figure while allowing the natural grain and texture of the wood to remain visible, particularly where the paint has chipped over time. The artistic style is marked by its simplicity and lack of elaborate details, contributing to the artwork's quiet and understated presence.
Artist & collection
Untitled
Untitled
Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines: Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita: Back Cover
Pair of Buddhist Manuscript Covers
Untitled
Four bodhisattvas and two attendants flanking Vajrasattva, bottom cover, from a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita-sutra)
Initiation Cards (Tsakalis)
Untitled
Pair of book covers with Buddhist deities
Untitled- Untitled
