Saint Mary Magdalene

Ugolino di Nerio's Saint Mary Magdalene, painted around 1320, likely formed part of his major dismembered altarpiece, possibly the Santa Croce polyptych in Florence. The Magdalene was a figure of enormous importance in medieval devotion, embodying the possibility of redemption through penitence, and her image appeared frequently in both Franciscan and Dominican church contexts. Ugolino's treatment reflects the Sienese school's emphasis on spiritual beauty and contemplative grace.

Tempera and gold leaf on panel, with the saint depicted holding her traditional attribute of an ointment jar. The figure shows Ugolino's refined linear style derived from Duccio, with softly modeled features and flowing hair rendered in fine brushstrokes against an elaborately tooled gold ground.