Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a solitary male figure engaged with a musical instrument, a composition that situates the work within the genre of scene painting.
The painting presents a solitary male figure engaged with a musical instrument, a composition that situates the work within the genre of scene painting. By depicting a man with an instrument, the imagery evokes contemporary cultural practices surrounding music and may suggest themes of contemplation or social interaction typical of mid‑17th‑century Indian art. The figure’s isolated stance and the inclusion of the instrument serve as visual symbols that have been interpreted as representations of artistic patronage and the role of music in elite domestic settings.
This symbolic use of music aligns with broader iconographic trends observed in similar genre scenes of the period.
Technique & Style
Executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, this work employs the traditional South Asian miniature technique of combining fine linework with flat, saturated color washes. The narrow vertical format, measuring approximately 20.9 by 12.1 centimeters, is characteristic of small-scale album leaves produced in India during the mid-seventeenth century. The handling reflects the workshop conventions of the period, with delicate brushwork used to render the figure and his musical instrument against a plain ground. No condition issues are noted in the available documentation.
History & Provenance
Created in 1650 in India, the work titled Untitled is an ink and opaque watercolor painting on paper. The piece was produced by an anonymous artist, often referred to as an unknown painter, and depicts a man alongside a musical instrument. While the specific commission details and the initial ownership chain prior to its acquisition are not recorded in the available documentation, the work currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The painting measures 20.9 cm in height and 12.1 cm in width. Its classification falls within the genre scene category, reflecting its depiction of everyday life or a specific cultural moment from mid-17th century India.
The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recorded in its Wikidata entry. It was produced in India and dates to 1650, executed in ink and opaque watercolor on paper. The Wikidata record documents its physical dimensions at 20.9 cm in height and 12.1 cm in width.
No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is recorded for this work.
Overview
This untitled painting, rendered in ink and opaque watercolor on paper, depicts a tranquil interior scene. Two men are shown seated on the floor within a simple, unadorned room, engaged in playing stringed instruments. The work originates from Bundi, a historical kingdom located in Rajasthan, India.
Artist & collection
- Untitled
Ramakali Ragini
Woman Longing for Her Lover: Verati Ragini of Dipak, from a Ragamala
Pancham Raga
Krishna and Consort on a Palace Balcony with Musicians: Vukharo Ragaputra of Bhairav, from the “Boston Ragamala”
Bhairava Raga
Woman Longing for Her Lover: Verati Ragini of Dipak, from a Ragamala
Ragini Bilaval, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set
Untitled
Krishna with Guru in Palace Scene
Untitled
Prince and Lady in Palace Scene with Musicians
