SOUTH TYROLEAN MASTER (16TH CENTURY)

Expert Analysis: Dr. Albrecht Miller, director of the Ottobrunn Museum. The sculpture depicts Mary Magdalene, a faithful servant of Christ, holding in her hands a vessel for the fragrant ointment. It can refer to the repentant sinner in the house of Simon the Pharisee who first cried then washed the feet of Jesus, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with rare oils to show respect and express her sorrow. Or the jar of ointments could relate to the journey of Mary Magdalene with Christ to Golgotha ​where he was crucified. After Christ was mourned by his loved ones and placed in a tomb, Mary goes with the other women to the tomb to anoint the dead body, but they found the tomb empty. The statue of Mary is carved from pine wood and polychromed. The facial skin tones are pinkish, with red lips and flowing hair. Her melancholic gaze faces downwards. She is dressed in richly pleated drapery. The sculpture is in good condition, after restoration, and concave at the back.