Untitled
The Met
Artist: Unknown
Date: early 18th century
Department: Asian Art
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Distemper on cloth
Dimensions: Image: 47 5/8 × 73 1/8 in. (121 × 185.7 cm) Mount (from yellow brocade outer edge to yellow brocade outer edge): 84 in. × 57 3/4 in. (213.4 × 146.7 cm) Overall with mounting: 102 in. × 69 3/4 in. (255.9 × 177.2 cm)
Credit Line: Purchase, Florance Waterbury Bequest, 1969
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A blue multi-headed, multi-armed figure surrounded by flames, within a colorful painted textile
Detailed Description
The artwork is a vertical rectangular painted textile, framed by a dark blue textile border. The central painted area is highly detailed and colorful. At its center, a large blue figure with an intense expression dominates the composition. This figure has multiple heads, with the primary face featuring a wide-open mouth, fangs, and three prominent eyes. Its hair is fiery orange, forming a large halo, and it wears a crown adorned with skulls. Numerous arms extend from its body, holding various implements and performing gestures, all surrounded by swirling orange, red, and gold flames. The figure has a large, rounded belly and wears elaborate jewelry, including necklaces and armbands. It stands upon smaller, recumbent white figures or animals. Above the central figure, in the upper section of the painting, five smaller figures are depicted. Each is seated with legs crossed within a circular or oval frame, set against a light blue sky with soft clouds. These figures are rendered in various colors, including red, green, and gold. The lower section of the painting features a complex landscape filled with numerous smaller figures and intricate patterns. Some of these figures are blue and appear similar in form to the main figure, while others are depicted in different colors and poses, amidst swirling clouds and smaller flame-like motifs. The entire painted area is bordered by a narrow band of red and yellow, decorated with repeating patterns, before meeting the wider dark blue textile frame.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
