Carlo Crivelli: Maria Magdalena (1480)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An altarpiece from the Italian master Carlo Crivelli (1430?-1495). The person on the painting is Maria Magdalena - a biblical figure from the New Testament. According to the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Mark, Jesus had cast seven demons out of Maria Magdalena after which she started to follow Jesus. Maria Magdalena was present during the crucifixion of Jesus, his burial and the discovery that his tomb was empty. She also was the first witness to the resurrection ('Noli me tangere'). Maria Magdalena is usually depicted as one of the Myrrhbearers (the group of women who were bringing myrrh to the tomb of Christ to find it empty) - the jar which she holds on this painting is a jar of myrrh. This painting was orginally an altarpiece of a small church which was dedicated to Maria Magdalena. Painting from 1480.