“The Virgin and Child with Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saints Cosmas and Damian” by Botticelli at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

Botticelli (1445-1510) “The Virgin and Child with Saint Mary Magdalene”

Painting - Tempera on Wood (170 x 194 cm) 1470

Sandro Botticelli, Virgin and Child with Saint Mary Magdalene, Uffizi Gallery, Florence Italy

Virgin Mary Magdalene This work, which depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by six saints, is the oldest known altarpiece by Botticelli.

It is even thought to be his first major commission as a young painter.

According to art historians, it was originally in the church of the Repentant Daughters of Florence, the “Chiesa delle Repentite e le Convertite”, which was the church of the convent of Santa Maria Maddalena de Pazzi.

Remember that Saint Mary Magdalene, depicted in this painting, is the patron saint of repentant girls.

Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian are also present, both patrons of the medical guild linked to the convent of Santa Maria Maddalena de Pazzi.

Virgin Mary Magdalene The fact that their names are indicated at the bottom of the painting reinforces the hypothesis that the altarpiece was commissioned from Botticelli by the brotherhood of doctors and apothecaries.

As an early work by Botticelli, it is not surprising to find the style of Filippo Lippi, of whom he was a pupil.

The Virgin sits on a throne and holds the Child Jesus on her lap, who blesses us with his right hand.

On the left of the painting is Mary Magdalene, barefoot and wearing a long blue cape.

Saint John the Baptist is standing right next to her; they are both looking at the infant Jesus.

Virgin Mary Magdalene Saint Cosmas, kneeling at the front of the painting in a prayerful pose, has his gaze turned towards us. bb On the right-hand side of the painting, as a counterpart to Saint Cosmas, Saint Damian is also kneeling with his hands joined, but he is absorbed by the presence of the Child Jesus.

Above him, in his brown monk's robe, Botticelli has depicted Saint Francis of Assisi, with his hand on his chest.

Finally, on the far right, stands Saint Catherine of Alexandria, barefoot, like Saint Mary Magdalene, with the wheel of her martyrdom which she holds in her right hand.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria is the only one, along with the Infant Jesus and Saint Cosmas, to be looking at us.

Virgin Mary Magdalene

Sandro Botticelli, Virgin and Child with St Mary Magdalene, Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy

Virgin Mary Magdalene