Panel

Master of the Pieta, from the Fogg collection, Boston

Italy, Florence or Pisa.

Mary Magdalene and St Paul 1380

The master of the Pieta Fogg had close artistic ties with the Pisa school.

Frinta (1973): attribution to the master of the Pieta Fogg, place Pistoia previously English private ownership

These two panels are also associated with a John the Baptist, earlier in the Grecco-collection, Genoa

What we see here was probably once part of a much larger altarpiece, consisting of several small panels, known as a polyptich. Note how the little flame-like ornaments are placed on the frame: the lower part is bare, which is an indication that this panel would have been attached to other, similar panels on both sides. The upper person depicted is Mary Magdalene. She was identified by the Western church with the unnamed woman who, according to the gospel of Luke, once washed Jesus feet and massaged them with expensive ointment. The painter portrays her carrying a small jar, the one that she kept her ointment in. The jar and the red dress are both characteristic of Mary Magdalene. The man with the sword and the book is Saint Paul. The weapon is supposed to remind the beholder of the way the apostle was killed. He was beheaded - in Roman times a form of execution thought to be more honourable than crucifixion. Paul had the reputation of being an intellectual, something the artist has tried to convey by depicting him with a high forehead. The clearly visible seam above the high-brow head indicates that the panel used to be of a smaller size, and was adapted to fit into the frame with the other portrait.