# Mary Magdalene Holding the Unguent Jar

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/mary-magdalene-holding-the-unguent-jar-r97392f6967918b>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [MASTER of Female Half-lengths](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516>)
- Date: 1501-1550
- Technique: Oil on oak panel, 29 x 23 cm

## Commentary

The artist derives his name from the series of works depicting half-length female figures behind a writing desk, reading, or playing a musical instrument, that he painted in Antwerp, though inspired by the art of Bruges. Here the figure holds, as if to open, an unguent jar that identifies her as Mary Magdalene. Few of the Master&#39;s half-length females, if any, are as richly ornamented as this.

## Related artworks

- [Concert of Women](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/concert-of-women-r249647a8e04035>)
- [Crucifixion \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/crucifixion-detail-r2f1bc654846a7a>)
- [Crucifixion \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/crucifixion-detail-rb02407c570b166>)
- [Crucifixion](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/crucifixion-r6d1efe70f66773>)
- [Lady Writing at a Desk \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/lady-writing-at-a-desk-detail-rc4a1fb3d0f8564>)
- [Lady Writing at a Desk](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/lady-writing-at-a-desk-rf93db7acc2672d>)
- [Madonna and Child](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/madonna-and-child-r126484ca508ab9>)
- [Mars and Venus](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/mars-and-venus-r78371a1961c36b>)
- [Mary Magdalene Holding the Unguent Jar \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/mary-magdalene-holding-the-unguent-jar-detail-rf4d401c31b5f30>)
- [Mary Magdalene Holding the Unguent Jar](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/mary-magdalene-holding-the-unguent-jar-rfa3cd25612d259>)
- [St Catherine](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/st-catherine-r31dcc4ff8c6c9e>)
- [Three Young Women Making Music with a Jester](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/master-of-female-half-lengths-rc9b45d003c6516/three-young-women-making-music-with-a-jester-re869e23c32698e>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)