Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1695 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a man and a woman, identified specifically as these deities, with the inclusion of a bow and arrow as prominent attributes.
Created in 1695 by an anonymous Indian artist, this ink and opaque watercolor painting illustrates a scene from Hindu mythology featuring the divine figures Krishna and Rādhā. The composition depicts a man and a woman, identified specifically as these deities, with the inclusion of a bow and arrow as prominent attributes. These elements serve as key iconographic markers within the narrative tradition, grounding the work in the specific religious and cultural context of late seventeenth-century India.
The presence of the weaponry alongside the celestial couple suggests a particular episode or symbolic representation common to mythological genres of the period, emphasizing the interplay between divine love and martial prowess.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, a typical support for Indian miniature paintings. The ink defines the outlines of Krishna, Radha, the bow and arrow, and the accompanying figures, while the opaque watercolor fills in areas of color, allowing for modest modeling and decorative detail. Handling appears precise, with fine brushwork characteristic of manuscript illustration.
The sources do not note any condition issues, so the painting’s current state is not documented. Stylistically, the mythological subject and Indian provenance align with regional miniature traditions that combine linear clarity with flat, vivid color areas.
History & Provenance
The work titled Untitled is an ink and opaque watercolor on paper painting dated 1695, created in India by an anonymous artist. It portrays the Hindu deities Krishna and Rādhā with a bow and arrow, fitting the mythological genre. The piece entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its creation history reflects 17th‑century Indian artistic practice and is documented with precise dimensions and accession details.
Untitled (1695) is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it appears in the museum’s collection of paintings. The work is executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper and is classified as a mythological painting that depicts Krishna, Rādhā, a bow and arrow, a man and a woman. Its creation is dated to 1695 and it originates from India.
The available documentation does not provide a specific accession or inventory number, nor does it record any exhibition history for this piece.
Overview
This untitled painting, rendered in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, depicts a scene from a Hindu love narrative. A blue-skinned deity, identified as Krishna, is shown drawing a bow, while a woman, Radha, conceals herself behind a tree. Other figures, including women observing from doorways and men in the background, witness the unfolding event. The work exemplifies the intricate detail and vibrant palette characteristic of its genre.
Context
This painting belongs to a larger tradition of depicting episodes from the Hindu epic of Krishna and Radha, a beloved narrative cycle. Such scenes were frequently commissioned for illustrated manuscripts and albums, serving as visual interpretations of devotional poetry and mythological tales. The work invites viewers to explore other visual representations of Krishna and Radha's story, highlighting its enduring cultural significance.
Artist & collection
Untitled
Krishna Exacts a Toll from the Milkmaids: Dana-Lila, from a Bhagavata Purana
Vasant Ragini
Krishna and Gopis
Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva
Untitled
Vasant Ragini
Krishna and Radha
Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva
Dipak ragini
