Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by Jogmaya Devi. It dates from 23 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This work is a Madhubani painting executed on paper with ink and paint.
About this work
Overview
This work is a Madhubani painting executed on paper with ink and paint. It presents a group of five women arranged in a circular formation, likely representing a ritual dance such as the Rasamandala, and is dominated by vivid reds, greens and oranges. A central four‑armed female figure is set within a floral motif, while the whole scene is bounded by a decorative triangular border.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure and surrounding dancers suggest a ceremonial performance, a common theme in Mithila art that often celebrates fertility and communal rites. The four‑armed deity at the core may allude to a divine presence overseeing the dance, reinforcing the work’s ritual connotations.
Technique & Style
Rendered in the characteristic flat, bold outlines of Madhubani art, the figures feature stylised faces with large rounded eyes. Colors are applied in solid blocks without shading, creating a lively contrast against the white paper. The composition is framed by a thick black border and a patterned edge of triangles, typical of the regional folk aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Madhubani painting originates from the Mithila region of northern Bihar, where it has traditionally been practiced by Hindu women of Brahmin and Kshatriya castes on domestic walls. This piece, attributed to the artist Jogmaya Devi, continues that lineage by transferring the wall‑based technique onto paper for broader circulation.
Context
In its cultural setting, Madhubani art functions as a visual language for marking life‑cycle events such as weddings and religious ceremonies. The depiction of a circular dance aligns with the community’s emphasis on collective celebration and the invocation of protective deities during such occasions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jogmaya Devi filled small sheets with scenes of everyday life, painted in a direct, uncluttered style that feels like a diary come alive.
