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Description: | This painting has been given the title The Magdalen', but elements of the painting are more in keeping with an idealised portrait rather than a devotional painting. The female saint or sitter, dressed richly in gold brocade and red velvet, sits with her hair tucked up within a gold-trimmed hat. She uses a little carved inkwell and nib pen to write a letter. She sits at a green-draped table on a balcony, the roof of which is held up by red jasper (or similar). In the background are the gentle hills and roofs of a landscape. The picture is known as The Magdalen' because of the vase which stands in a prominent position by her letter. In scripture, Mary Magdalene is recorded breaking a costly' alabaster perfume bottle in order to anoint Christ with the scented oil it contained. Rather than alabaster, the artist has painted a blue and white ceramic object, reminiscent of Chinese ware. | Subjects: | religion | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Massys, Jan (South Netherlandish painter, ca. 1509-1575) Æ Attributed to school of | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8721... | Go to resource |
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