Sujata

ca. 1948

Not on view

Returned to lender

This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.

This is among the earliest works by Srimati that allude to the sixth-century Buddhist murals at Ajanta. The sensuous figure-type and dark complexion directly reference Ajanta prototypes, as does the textile design of the woman’s waist skirt. The artist identified the subject as Sujata, the young woman who in the Buddha’s life story offered milk and rice to the fasting ascetic Shakyamuni. This experience alerted the Buddha to the efficacy of the middle path—namely, that neither overindulgence nor excessive self-mortification is conducive to enlightenment and the release of the soul.

Artwork Details

Overview

Exhibition History

References

Title: Sujata
Artist: Y. G. Srimati (Indian, 1926–2007)
Date: ca. 1948
Culture: India (Chennai)
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Dimensions: Image: 20 × 13 in. (50.8 × 33 cm)
Mat: 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Lent by Michael Pellettieri
Curatorial Department: Asian Art