Who painted Jesus among the doctors in the Temple?

Jesus among the doctors in the Temple was painted by Mir Kalan Khan in 1760.

Where can I see Jesus among the doctors in the Temple?

Jesus among the doctors in the Temple is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Jesus among the doctors in the Temple?

Jesus among the doctors in the Temple is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

Jesus among the doctors in the Temple

Mir Kalan Khan , 1760

Jesus among the doctors in the Temple is an unspecified painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Mir Kalan Khan. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2013.346
Credit line: Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection

About this work

Overview

Mir Kalan Khan’s oil painting, dated to around 1760, portrays the biblical episode of the twelve‑year‑old Jesus engaging with scholars in the Temple. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of 18th‑century religious narrative painting.

Subject & Meaning

At the composition’s centre, a youthful Jesus kneels, his blue robe and halo marking his divinity. Surrounding him are several adult men, some wearing turbans or hats, who lean forward and gesture as if listening to his words. The arrangement conveys reverence and the theme of youthful wisdom confronting learned authority.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a vivid palette and meticulous detailing, especially in the patterned fabrics and architectural elements. The courtyard setting features columns, arches, and distant trees, rendered with careful perspective. The intricate designs and rich coloration reflect a decorative sensibility typical of the period’s religious art.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1760, the painting entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century. Its provenance prior to museum ownership is not extensively documented, but the work has been identified as a product of Khan’s workshop, known for producing narrative scenes for devotional contexts.