Title of Art: Repentant Magdalene and Eight Stories of her Life
Artist: Maestro della Maddalena
Date of Composition: 1280-1285
Art Form: Painting
Exhibit Institution: La Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze (Gallery of the Academy of Florence)
Exhibit Location: Florence, Italy
VM Image #: 0045
Photographer: Shala Graham
Subjects: Mary Magdalene
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This altarpiece depicting the life of Mary Magdalene is believed to be the earliest painted narrative cycle of her life. The central image of Mary shows her with long flowing hair covering her body to her feet. Her left hand holds a scroll that reads in Latin, “Do not despair those of you who are accustomed to sin, and in keeping with my example, return yourselves to God.”
On either side of the central figure are a series of eight images. The images depict stories from the Bible and Golden Legend and are intended to be read from left to right and top to bottom.
The central image and eight side images depict key stories of Mary Magdalene’s life. Reading the side images left to right, top to bottom, the viewer travels through Mary Magdalene’s spiritual life. Mary Magdalene is depicted as a repentant sinner, the Apostle to the Apostles, a preacher, and a prayerful hermit in communion with the angels.
The first three images represent Biblical narratives from Luke 7:36-38, John 11:1-43, and John 20:17. At the time of its painting, it was widely believed that Mary Magdalene was the repentant woman at the Pharisee’s house and was the sister of Lazarus and Martha.
The fourth image begins a series of images of stories from the Golden Legend and later hagiographies of her life in France. She is seen in the fourth image preaching to a mixed crowd of men and women in Marseille.
The first three images represent Biblical narratives from Luke 7:36-38, John 11:1-43, and John 20:17. At the time of its painting, it was widely believed that Mary Magdalene was the repentant woman at the Pharisee’s house and was the sister of Lazarus and Martha.
The fourth image begins a series of images of stories from the Golden Legend and later hagiographies of her life in France. She is seen in the fourth image preaching to a mixed crowd of men and women in Marseille.