France, 15th Century, Wooden Sculpture Of Saint Mary Magdalene H 72 Cm

This large sculpture of Saint Mary Magdalene is a 15th-century French work.

Simple in contrast to other representations that depict her as sensual, she is here identified as the repentant "sinner."
Standing with her pensive face slightly inclined to the ground, she carefully holds in both hands the pot of ointment, symbolizing her anointing of Jesus' feet at Simon's house.
This nard pot was one of the most common iconographic attributes of the period. Later additions included a courtesan's mirror, a skull, and a crown of thorns.
Strands of her long hair peek out from beneath her veil. She wears simple, unadorned clothing in a monastic style, with a long, pleated robe, a cape, and a wimple covering her chin.
A profound gentleness emanates from this sculpture.

The polychromy is both original and later additions. Ancienne fixation au dos. 
Dimensions: H 72 cm, W 23 cm, D 19 cm.
From a large private collection.