The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 13, 2025
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
1602–4
(1569–1627)
Sheet: 26.3 x 15.7 cm (10 3/8 x 6 3/16 in.); Image: 22.5 x 10.9 cm (8 7/8 x 4 5/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 2005.145.50.b
Location: Not on view
Did You Know?
Jesus holds a rosary with a cross even in scenes prior to his crucifixion.Description
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.- before 1930s–2005An Indian family in Great Britain, whose grandfather brought the manuscript to England in the 1930s or 1940s2005(Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch Ltd., London, England, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)2005–The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Prince Salim's Life of Christ (Manuscript Rotation) - Gallery 115. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (December 2, 2019-July 1, 2020).Art and Stories from Mughal India. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 31-October 23, 2016).
- {{cite web|title=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|url=false|author=|year=1602–4|access-date=13 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2005.145.50.b