Title of Art: Madonna and Child Enthroned with St. Francis, a sainted Bishop, St. John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene
Artist: Gherardo Di Giovanni
Art Form: Painting
Date of Composition: 1470-1475
Subjects: Mary, Mother of God; Mary Magdalene
Ritual Pose/Object: enthroned pose, star, censer
Exhibit Institution: Le Gallerie degli Uffizi (The Uffizi)
Exhibit Location: Florence, Italy
VM Image #: 0043
Photographer: Shala Graham
Date of Photograph: January 7, 2023
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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, 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. Mary Magdalene's loose hair recalls the 14th-century belief that she was a prostitute before following Christ. Mary Magdelene is painted wearing a red robe and cloak and her face and gaze are turned to the Christ child, while 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. Mary Magdalene's loose hair recalls the 14th-century belief that she was a prostitute before following Christ. Mary Magdelene is painted wearing a red robe and cloak and her face and gaze are turned to the Christ child, while 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)