The Assumption of Saint Mary Magdalene

Don Silvestro dei Gherarducci, a Camaldolese monk and illuminator at the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence, painted this Assumption of Saint Mary Magdalene around 1380. As one of the finest manuscript illuminators of the Trecento, Don Silvestro brought the precision and jewel-like color of miniature painting to his panel work. The subject depicts the legend of the Magdalene's daily elevation by angels during her years of penitence in a cave near Marseilles, a popular theme in medieval hagiographic art.

Painted in egg tempera and gold on panel with the miniaturist's precision characteristic of a trained illuminator, the work features luminous, saturated colors and delicate figural drawing. The gold ground and refined decorative details reflect Don Silvestro's expertise in the arts of the book translated into panel format.