Cleveland Museum of Art

John the Baptist recognizes Christ by the appearance of a dove (folio 50 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

Wearing the black robes and cap of a Jesuit priest, John the Baptist sits in a well-appointed Mughal-style courtyard. According to Father Jerome’s text, John recognizes Jesus by the dove who sits on his head. Possibly Father Jerome intended to relate the Gospel account that describes the dove of the Holy Spirit as hovering in the air above his head. The artist’s own reactions to this passage may be reflected in the expressions and gestures of the onlookers, who seem incredulous and bemused at this sign. Jesus holds a rosary with a cross even in scenes prior to his crucifixion.

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