The Holy Spirit Descends on the Apostles and the Virgin at Pentecost

Sanvala (active around 1580–1606)
Mughal India, around 1600–1605
Colour on paper
Asian Civilisations Museum [2012-00165]

After the death of Christ, the apostles and the Virgin Mary received the Holy Spirit (seen here in the form of a dove). Tongues of fire appeared on their heads, and they began to speak in many different languages. This subject was an ideal symbol for missionary work because it emphasizes that Christ’s teachings should be accessible to all people in their own language.