This is an example of representing Mary Magdalene as the “penitent Mary,” which is a tradition that misidentifies her with Mary of Egypt, who lived in solitary repentance centuries later. This version of Mary Magdalene is often shown with long hair that covers her gaunt body. The legend portrays her living in a cave in the desert. This piece presents an extremely skeletal Mary, kneeling as she is served the Eucharist. The identity of the priest is unknown. More details on this theme can be found in the descriptions of similar representations of Mary Magdalene in the Visual Museum.

This painting is part of a larger alterpiece depicting the Virgin Mary seated on a throne holding the Christ Child. Christ is extending a blessing with his right and holds a bird in the other. This panel of Mary Magdalene is part of the predella, which is a multipaneled platform that creates a base to support the larger altarpiece above that contains a larger image. From left to right, the predella depicts Christ healing the lame, the martyrdom of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the stigmata of St. Francis, the Nativity, the funeral of St. Zanobius, and the communion of St. Mary Magdalene.