Pietà
15th century
Oil on wood
Cathedral
of Notre Dame, Le Puy, France
This image plays a remarkable variation on the iconography of St. Mary
Magdalene. There is a long tradition of showing her at prayer, in
her contemplative life after the Resurrection, with a book and a
crucifix. But here she has the book and the actual body that
crucifixes represent. Unlike the extravagantly grieving Magdalene
of most Lamentation scenes, she is deep in meditation.
The oil jar in her hand is her attribute, although few could mistake
the figure for anyone but the Magdalene.
More of St. Mary Magdalene
More of the Pietà
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke