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The Death of Mary Magdalen
Italian (Siena)
about 1725
Object Place: Europe, Siena, Italy
Medium/Technique
Terracotta
Dimensions
23 x 29 cm (9 1/16 x 11 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Otis Norcross Fund
Accession Number55.392
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSculpture
This relief shows Mary Magdalen, one of Christ's followers, supported and comforted by angels, perhaps at the moment just before her death. The composition was created by Giuseppe Mazzuoli, possibly as early as the 1670s, but this relief may have been made by Giuseppe's nephew Bartolomeo, who worked with his uncle, took over the workshop after Giuseppe's death, and continued to be inspired by his uncle's work.
Descriptionterracotta bozzetto. Rectangular plaque. Sharply cut reclining Magdalen with drapery, Angel with head in almost full round, cherub in relief at left, in full round at lower right corner.
Provenance1955, Eugene L. Garbáty (b. 1880 - d. 1966), East Norwalk, CT [see note 1]; 1955, sold by Garbáty to the MFA for $400. (Accession Date: June 9, 1955)
NOTES:
[1] Garbáty emigrated from Berlin to New York between 1938 and 1939, bringing much of his art collection with him. It is probable, though not securely documented, that he had acquired this already by 1938.
NOTES:
[1] Garbáty emigrated from Berlin to New York between 1938 and 1939, bringing much of his art collection with him. It is probable, though not securely documented, that he had acquired this already by 1938.