The Birth of Christ

This later Mughal miniature shows the ‘Birth of Jesus Christ’ by an unidentified artist.

True to the realm of Mughal miniatures of this time produced around European themes, the setup and backdrop remain entirely Indian. Women dressed in native ensembles and veils cater to the newborn as Mother Mary lies on a bed wrapped up in a quilt in a palace with a terrace.

Mughal rulers, notably Akbar (1542-1605), embraced Jesuits, initiating a collaboration that influenced Mughal history. Akbar’s invitation set the stage, with successors like Jahangir (1569-1627) even commissioning Christian-themed murals. By the late 18th century, artists in regions like Rajasthan and the Deccan integrated European techniques, producing works with Christian themes. Read more about Mughal art and its encounter with the land of the Bible, here.