Collection

Portrait of a Lady as Mary Magdalen

Bartolomeo Veneto

Brooklyn Museum photograph

Object Label

Bartolomeo uses the device of the vase on the foreground parapet to prompt an association with Mary Magdalene, the saint believed to have anointed Christ’s feet. The rich embroideries and jewelry may refer to New Testament descriptions of Mary Magdalene as well as to the actual sitter’s status as a woman of wealth, while her frank, serious gaze suggests the piety of the saint, the lady’s likely namesake.

Caption

Bartolomeo Veneto (Italian, North Italian School, active 1502–1531). Portrait of a Lady as Mary Magdalen, 1520s. Oil on cradled panel, 22 5/8 x 17 5/8in. (57.5 x 44.8cm) frame: 28 × 23 1/4 × 3 1/8 in. (71.1 × 59.1 × 7.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of A. Augustus Healy, 21.79. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Portrait of a Lady as Mary Magdalen

Date

1520s

Geography

Place made: Italy

Medium

Oil on cradled panel

Classification

Painting

Dimensions

22 5/8 x 17 5/8in. (57.5 x 44.8cm) frame: 28 × 23 1/4 × 3 1/8 in. (71.1 × 59.1 × 7.9 cm)

Credit Line

Bequest of A. Augustus Healy

Accession Number

21.79

Frequent Art Questions

  • Why did the artist portray this lady as a full profile? Isn't it more typical to be at a quarter turn?

    In that time period it was still very common to show people in profile but this woman is actually in a three quarter pose. Her frank, serious gaze suggests the piety of the saint Mary Magdalen, likely the lady’s namesake.

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Artists and makers

Bartolomeo Veneto

2 works in the collection