Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Jitu Chitrakar in 1920.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

Untitled

Jitu Chitrakar , 1920

Untitled is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Jitu Chitrakar. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1920 by Jitu Chitrakar, this untitled Jadupata scroll painting is composed of three contiguous panels. The work records scenes from the Santal community, featuring a mounted chief, a hunting dog, and a group of sepoys. Rendered in a limited palette of black, pink and yellow, the composition is designed for a scroll format, allowing it to be rolled when not displayed.

Subject & Meaning

The central panel shows a chief astride a red horse, dressed in a checkered shirt and striped trousers, grasping a long staff as he pursues game. Adjacent scenes depict a dog in pursuit of a deer and three bearded sepoys, suggesting a narrative of martial activity and tribal life. The imagery reflects everyday pursuits and the social hierarchy within the Santal clan.

Technique & Style

Chitrakar employs bold outlines and flat areas of color, characteristic of Jadupata painting. The dominant hues—black, pink, and yellow—contrast against a plain white ground edged with a yellow border, emphasizing the figures. The horse bears yellow markings on its legs and face, while the use of bright, unmodulated tones and simplified forms underscores the work’s decorative intent.

History & Provenance

The scroll entered the collection of British collector W.G. Archer before being transferred to the museum through the generosity of John C. Irwin in 1978. Its provenance traces a path from private ownership to public display, ensuring the preservation of this early twentieth‑century representation of Santal visual culture.