Saint Mary Magdalene

Unknown

ca. 1325 · Pot-metal glass, colorless glass, and vitreous paint · The Cloisters

Represented at the left is the prophet Isaiah (YSAIAS) holding a scroll inscribed: ECCE VIRGO—the first words of his prophecy, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son” (Isaiah 7:14). At the right is Saint Mary Magdalene holding her attribute, the alabaster jar containing the ointment with which she anointed the body of Jesus. The inscription reads: M[ARIA SOROR] MARTH[HA]E (Mary, sister of Martha). Grisaille windows with figural glass in the central zones, known as band windows, were common in French glazing programs of the fourteenth century. Here, the grisaille panels are unrelated to the figures, and whether they were ever in such a window is unknown.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1325

Medium

Pot-metal glass, colorless glass, and vitreous paint

Culture

French

Department

The Cloisters

Credit line

The Cloisters Collection, 1928