The Marriage at Cana (folio 58 verso), from a Mirror of Holiness (Mir’at al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier

1602–4

Mughal India, Allahabad, made for Prince Salim

(1569–1627)

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Medium

Gum tempera, ink, color, and gold on paper

Measurements

Sheet: 26.3 x 15.7 cm (10 3/8 x 6 3/16 in.); Image: 19.5 x 11.3 cm (7 11/16 x 4 7/16 in.)

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund 2005.145.58.b

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Location

Not on view

Description

Mary and Jesus sit in places of honor at the wedding of her relatives in Cana in front of a building facade ornamented at the top with charming rows of animal faces. The text specifies that there were six water jars at the gathering, as depicted in the lower left. The wine master in the yellow tunic gestures to the jars, as he admonishes the host for saving the good wine for last. The dumbstruck host, who knew there was no more wine, has discovered that Jesus miraculously transformed the water into wine. The figure wearing the crimson velvet hat with his hand on the host’s shoulder is probably the groom. The miracle inspired him to leave his bride a virgin and follow Christ as the apostle John.