About this artwork
This is Saint Mary Magdalene with an Angel, a tempera on panel work by Pietro Lorenzetti. The painting presents a striking composition of the saint set against a radiant gold background. Lorenzetti employs bold color contrasts, most notably in the red of Mary’s cloak, which immediately draws the eye and creates a focal point. The figure is framed within a golden halo, emphasizing her sanctity and importance in the narrative. Lorenzetti's treatment of light and shadow gives the figure a sense of volume and presence. He skillfully manipulates the interplay between flatness and depth, typical of the Sienese painting style, to create a composition that is both stylized and lifelike. The angel at the top adds another layer to the composition, drawing the eye upward and suggesting a divine connection. The painting’s structure, with its blend of formal design and spiritual intent, invites us to consider how artistic elements can convey complex meanings.
Saint Mary Magdalene, with an Angel [left panel]
c. 1340
Artwork details
- Medium
- panel, tempera, painting
- Dimensions
- painted surface: 89.2 × 41 cm (35 1/8 × 16 1/8 in.) overall: 92.1 × 44.1 cm (36 1/4 × 17 3/8 in.)
- Copyright
- National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0
Tags
Comments
Share your thoughts
About this artwork
This is Saint Mary Magdalene with an Angel, a tempera on panel work by Pietro Lorenzetti. The painting presents a striking composition of the saint set against a radiant gold background. Lorenzetti employs bold color contrasts, most notably in the red of Mary’s cloak, which immediately draws the eye and creates a focal point. The figure is framed within a golden halo, emphasizing her sanctity and importance in the narrative. Lorenzetti's treatment of light and shadow gives the figure a sense of volume and presence. He skillfully manipulates the interplay between flatness and depth, typical of the Sienese painting style, to create a composition that is both stylized and lifelike. The angel at the top adds another layer to the composition, drawing the eye upward and suggesting a divine connection. The painting’s structure, with its blend of formal design and spiritual intent, invites us to consider how artistic elements can convey complex meanings.
Comments
Share your thoughts