a visit with jesus

 Bible Art

The Magdalen Reading
Artist: Rogier van der Weyden
 1435-38    Painting

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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

The Man Bearing a Pitcher (L'homme à la cruche)
Artist: James Tissot
 c. 1890    Painting

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This work is an Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper  measuring 9 7/8 x 6 5/16 in. (25.1 x 16 cm).  It is signed bottom left: "J.J. Tissot" 

It is in the Brooklyn Museum, but not on view.