Title of Art: Madonna and Child Enthroned with St. Francis, a sainted Bishop, St. John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene
Artist: Gherardo Di Giovanni
Date of Composition: 1470-1475
Art Form: Painting
Exhibit Institution: Le Gallerie degli Uffizi (The Uffizi)
Exhibit Location: Florence, Italy
VM Image #: 0043
Photographer: Shala Graham
Date of Photograph: January 7, 2023
Subjects: Mary, mother of Jesus; Mary Magdalene
Ritual Objects: censer
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Mary holding Jesus on throne. From left to right, adoration by St. Francis, a bishop, John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene, holding an ointment jar.
Mary and the Christ child are seated in the center of the painting on a raised throne. Mary wears a red robe decorated with gold stars, and a dark blue cloak. An eight-sided star appears on her left shoulder. Christ and Mary gaze at each other. They flanked with two saints on either side. St. Francis to the far left, and a sainted bishop, perhaps Louis of Toulouse, stand to the left. John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene stand to the right.
Mary Magdalene is shown with long, flowing blond hair. Her loose hair recalls the 14th-century belief that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute before following Christ. She is painted wearing a red robe and cloak. Her face and gaze are turned to the Christ child, and her right hand extends toward Him, holding a censer. The metal censer is used to hold hot coals for burning incense.
Mary Magdalene stands next to John the Baptist, who is looking back at her. They are often tied together in art, representing Mary as a penitent who repented of her sin as John the Baptist preached. (Matthew 3:1-2)
Mary Magdalene is shown with long, flowing blond hair. Her loose hair recalls the 14th-century belief that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute before following Christ. She is painted wearing a red robe and cloak. Her face and gaze are turned to the Christ child, and her right hand extends toward Him, holding a censer. The metal censer is used to hold hot coals for burning incense.
Mary Magdalene stands next to John the Baptist, who is looking back at her. They are often tied together in art, representing Mary as a penitent who repented of her sin as John the Baptist preached. (Matthew 3:1-2)