Mary Magdalene with Eight Scenes from her Life

Mary Magdalene with Eight Scenes from her Life is a c.1280-1285 tempera and gold on panel painting by the Master of the Magdalen, now in the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence. ^[1]

History

Its original provenance is unknown, but it was mentioned as being in the vestibule of the monastery library at Santissima Annunziata in guidebooks by Follini-Rastrelli and Moreni, as part of a group of works within the collection of Francesco Raimondo Adami, Vicar General of the Ordine dei Servi di Maria. When the religious houses were suppressed in 1810 the painting moved to its present home, where it has been exhibited since 1817

Central Figure

This work portrays Mary Magdalene draped in hair, with a halo around her head to symbolize her sainthood. She holds a scroll which reads in Latin, "Do not despair those of you who are accustomed to sin, and in keeping with my example, return yourselves to God." ^[2]

Side scenes

Left column

Top to bottom:

• Mary Magdalene Anointing Christ's Feet
• Noli Me Tangere
• Mary Magdalene Borne to Heaven by Angels
• Mary Magdalene's Last Communion

Right column

Top to bottom:

• Resurrection of Lazarus
• Mary Magdalene Preaching
• An Angel Feeding Mary Magdalene in the Desert
• Funeral of Mary Magdalene

References

1. "Catalogue entry" (in Italian).
2. Jansen, Katherine Ludwig (2000). The Making of the Magdalen: Preaching and Popular Devotion in the Later Middle Ages. Princeton University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctvct00fd.1. ISBN   978-0-691-08987-4.

^[1]

Bibliography (in Italian)

• G. Bonsanti, La galleria dell'Accademia, Firenze. Guida e catalogo completo, Firenze, 1990.
• AA.VV., Galleria dell'Accademia, Giunti, Firenze 1999. ISBN   88-09-04880-6
• Franca Falletti, Marcella Anglani, Galleria dell'Accademia. Guida ufficiale, Firenze, Giunti Editore, 1999. ISBN   8809013433 (online)