Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a watercolor painting. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the divine pair Krishna and Radha framed by a garden pavilion with a central fountain, where a woman holds a peacock fan at right.
The composition centers on the divine pair Krishna and Radha framed by a garden pavilion with a central fountain, where a woman holds a peacock fan at right. The fountain symbolizes the celestial waters of Vrindavan, while the peafowl refers to the mount of Kartikeya, reinforcing the Krishnaite setting. Radha’s presence alongside Krishna indicates the theme of divine love, a common motif in Pahari and Rajput traditions.
The woman with the peacock fan likely represents a gopi attendant, underscoring the pastoral and devotional narrative. Together, these elements convey a scene of cosmic harmony and bhakti devotion within a garden of love.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1924, this anonymous Indian painting employs ink, opaque watercolor, and gilt on paper, a combination characteristic of traditional manuscript and miniature practices. The work measures 26.7 by 39.7 centimeters, a modest format suited to its delicate handling of pigment and metallic accents on the paper support. Gilding heightens selected passages, while the layered opaque watercolor provides dense, saturated color across the composition depicting Krishna, Rādhā, a fountain, peafowl, and a woman.
The juxtaposition of fine ink line with flat washes of color and reflective gilt reflects established stylistic conventions of the period and region. The sheet is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The painting Untitled, executed in ink, opaque watercolor and gilt on paper, was created in 1924 in India by an anonymous hand. Its iconography includes Krishna, Rādhā, a fountain, peafowl and a woman, situating it within a mythological genre. The work is catalogued as a painting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been part of the collection since its inception date of 1924‑01‑01, as recorded in the museum’s provenance records.
Its dimensions measure 26.7 × 39.7 cm, and it remains on public display within the museum’s Indian art galleries.
The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under the accession number MET 57.51.10. According to the Wikidata record for the object, it is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was created in India in 1924. The painting measures 26.7 cm in height and 39.7 cm in width. No exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This untitled painting, executed with ink, opaque watercolor, and gilt on paper, presents a vibrant scene. It depicts two women beside a fountain, accompanied by peacocks, while the divine figures of Krishna and Radha are subtly integrated into the surrounding trees. Although the artist remains unknown, the work's distinctive aesthetic places it within the rich tradition of 18th-century Indian painting, characterized by its detailed imagery and luminous palette.
Artist & collection
