Indian Painting under the Mughals, A.D. 1550 to A.D. 1750 c21.6

c21.6

the Fathers fitted up a chapel in their new quarters, as handsomely as they could, and placed over the altar a copy of the Madonna of St. Luke at St. Mary Major’s, which had been brought from Europe by Father Martin de Sylva, and which St. Pius V had allowed St. Francis Borgia to have made. . . . Akbar, after three or four days, paid a visit to it. On entering, he was struck by the venerable picture [and according to report, made obeisances to it]. A week later, the emperor came again to visit the chapel, with his three sons, Salim, Murad, and Danyal . . . and set them the example of paying due reverence to the holy picture. All expressed their admiration of it. When the emperor turn to go, Blessed Rudolf offered him another Madonna, a work of art which Akbar had especially admired and evidently wished to possess. He received it as a very precious gift, and had it hung in a place of honour in his rooms.²