Cleveland Museum of Art
Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem (folio 24 verso), from a Mirror of Holiness (Mir’at al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier
- Date
- 1602–4
- Medium
- Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
- Culture
- Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim (1569–1627)
- Department
- Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Joseph leads the heavily pregnant Mary riding on a camel. In the text Father Jerome wrote that Mary rode a “pack beast,” so the Indian artist opted to portray her on a camel. An ox in the foreground carries their belongings, and the bent trees indicate the journey’s harsh conditions. They are on the way to Bethlehem, the city of King David, from whom Joseph was descended, in order to register for a census. Father Jerome often emphasized the royal lineage of Jesus, apparently in an effort to impress the Mughals. Wearing a green coat, Joseph carries a sword over his shoulder, suggesting that he is ready to face any potential trouble.
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