The Madonna of the Palafrenieri
Artist: Caravaggio
1605-06
Painting
This oil painting is one of Caravaggio’s most famous mature religious works, painted in 1605-1606. The artwork was executed for the altar of the Archconfraternity of the Papal Grooms (Arciconfraternita di Sant’Anna de Parafrenieri) in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Moreover, it was exhibited in the parish church for the Vatican, Sant’Anna dei Palafrenieri, before its removal, most probably because of its orthodox portrayal of the Virgin. The painting’s size is 292 x 211 cm
The Magdalen Reading
Artist: Rogier van der Weyden
1435-38
Painting
This work is one of three surviving fragments of a large altarpiece that probably depicted the Virgin and Child with Saints, as evidenced by a later drawing that seems to record a more complete portion of the altarpiece. The Magdalen would have been in the lower right corner of the composition, flanking the seated Virgin and child. Most scholars consider this an early work of the mid-1430s.
Mary Magdalene is accompanied by her characteristic attribute, the jar of ointment with which she is said to have anointed Christ's feet. She is richly dressed in a fur-lined overdress and a cloth of gold underdress, and reads a volume, probably a Bible, held in a cloth cover used to protect valuable books. Mary's absorption in her reading indicates her pious devotion. The two partially visible figures beside her are most likely Saint John the Evangelist in red, kneeling before the Christ Child, and Saint Joseph in a blue cloak, standing behind the Magdalene.
This oil on mahogany painting is in The National Gallery, London, UK
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