About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work, dated 1349, is an ink and colored painting on palm leaf that belongs to the religious genre and portrays a Buddhist deity; its iconography reflects esoteric Buddhist symbolism common in 14th‑century Nepalese art; the depiction functions as a devotional image within Buddhist ritual contexts; the overall composition visually places the figure within a mandala‑like arrangement that conveys cosmic order, while specific colors and gestures indicate particular divine attributes.

Technique & Style

No information on later handling or conservation treatment is recorded, and the current condition is undocumented, though the dimensions (approximately 5.

The work was executed in ink and pigments on processed palm leaf, a traditional support used in 14th‑century Nepali Buddhist painting. The thin leaf was prepared, painted with fine brushwork, and the composition follows a conventional iconography of a Buddhist deity, rendered in muted color fields and linear outlines typical of early Himalayan manuscript art. No information on later handling or conservation treatment is recorded, and the current condition is undocumented, though the dimensions (approximately 5.2 × 33.5 cm) correspond to a small portable panel. The formal style reflects the religious narrative conventions of its period.

History & Provenance

The work, an anonymous painting executed in ink and color on palm leaves, was created in 1349 in Nepal. It is classified as a religious work depicting Buddhist themes and deities. The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located. No further details regarding commission, prior ownership, or chain of custody are documented in the available sources.

The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recorded in the Wikidata entry for the painting. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources. The medium is described as ink and color on palm leaves, with the work attributed to an anonymous painter and dated to 1349, made in Nepal. No exhibition history is documented in the supplied sources.

Overview

This untitled painting, rendered with ink and color on palm leaves, originates from Nepal's Kathmandu Valley in the 14th century. It depicts a four-armed, blue-skinned deity seated upon a lotus, holding various symbolic objects. The artwork's small scale and vibrant palette are notable, offering a glimpse into the religious art practices of the period.