Saint Mary Magdalene c. 1506

Francesco Marti created this small, gilded image of Saint Mary Magdalene, sometime around the early 16th century in Florence, Italy. It's an intimate portrayal of a saint who was often depicted in more elaborate and idealized ways during the Renaissance. The choice of gold is interesting. Gold was not only a precious material, but also carried symbolic weight, representing purity, divinity, and the heavenly realm. This choice of material may also speak to the social function of art at this time, where the church was an important patron. The art historian might consult religious texts, records of artistic commissions, and studies of Renaissance social structures to fully interpret this image. By examining these resources, we can better understand how Marti's Saint Mary Magdalene speaks to the social, cultural, and religious values of its time.