ABSTRACT
Attributed to an unknown artist of the Netherlands, this oil on oak panel painting depicts Mary Magdalene, a Jewish woman who travelled with Jesus as one of his followers. 1 She witnessed the crucifixion and, according to Mark 16:1–8, discovered the empty tomb of Christ along with Mary, the mother of James, and Mary Salome. She is traditionally depicted carrying a jar of oil because, since the sixth century, Mary Magdalene was conflated with Mary of Bethany and an unnamed ‘sinful woman’ who anointed the feet of Jesus. Although her face does not betray any overt emotional state, the artist has painted Mary Magdalene holding a tissue to her left eye, wiping away tears. Whether those are tears of repentance or tears of gratitude shed because Jesus had pardoned her sins (Luke 7:48), or indeed both of these, is not clear.
