Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a graphite painting. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
An eight-armed goddess rides a lion, charging a demon mounted on a horse as his army scatters behind him. The lines are sharp, almost like a comic. Probably a study for a larger painting, it uses quick, overlapping cross-hatching to build shadow and depth. The artist is unknown; it comes from India around 1780.
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1780 by an anonymous Indian artist, this graphite and ink work depicts the Hindu goddess Durga engaged in battle.
Created in 1780 by an anonymous Indian artist, this graphite and ink work depicts the Hindu goddess Durga engaged in battle. The iconography centers on the deity mounted upon a lion, accompanied by a horse, illustrating a dynamic martial scene. As a piece categorized within the mythology genre, the image represents a specific narrative from Hindu tradition, likely portraying the goddess's triumph over demonic forces.
The inclusion of the lion serves as her traditional vahana (vehicle), symbolizing power and will, while the presence of the horse and the active combat scenario emphasize themes of divine intervention and the restoration of cosmic order through warfare. The work functions as a visual representation of these religious concepts, capturing a moment of intense spiritual conflict.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in graphite and ink on paper, a support typical of 18th‑century Indian manuscript drawings. Its dimensions measure approximately 14.3 × 19.2 cm, indicating a small sheet intended for intimate study. The medium’s fragility demands careful handling and stable environmental conditions to prevent foxing or tearing.
Formally, the piece depicts a mythological battle in which the goddess Durga appears on a lion, accompanied by a horse, rendered with fine linear detail and a composition that emphasizes narrative movement. The stylistic approach reflects the delicate line work and vibrant storytelling characteristic of Indian miniature painting traditions.
History & Provenance
Created in 1780 in India, this untitled work on paper depicts the Hindu deity Durga engaged in battle. The piece was executed by an anonymous artist using graphite and ink. While specific details regarding its original commission or early ownership history are not recorded in the available documentation, the artwork eventually entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains housed.
The work measures 14.3 by 19.2 units and is classified within the museum's holdings as a painting featuring mythological subject matter.
The work titled Untitled, attributed to an anonymous Indian painter, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and is housed in that institution in New York. Its creation is dated to 1780, with dimensions of approximately 14.3 cm by 19.2 cm, executed in graphite and ink on paper. The piece belongs to the mythology genre, depicting the Hindu goddess Durga in a battle scene with a lion and a horse.
No inventory or accession number has been recorded in the available documentation, and no exhibition record is noted in the sources consulted.
Overview
This untitled drawing, executed in graphite and ink on paper, originates from India around 1780. It depicts a dynamic confrontation between a multi-armed female deity mounted on a lion and a demonic figure on horseback, whose army disperses in disarray. The work likely served as a preparatory study for a more extensive painting, capturing a moment of intense action.
Context
This drawing was likely produced as a preliminary study, a common practice in workshops preparing for larger, more elaborate paintings. Such studies allowed artists to refine compositions, figure poses, and narrative elements before committing to a final, often more time-consuming, work on canvas or panel. It provides insight into the creative process of an unknown Indian artist.
Artist & collection
