This image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wooden figure of saint Mary Magdalene as a penitent, invoked against plague, ulcers and for children slow or weak, possibly Spanish, 1601-1750
Dressed in a Hessian robe as a repentant sinner, with a skull and an alabaster jar at her feet, St Mary Magdalene is often represented in this pose, usually with a cross. The wooden statue is painted. Traditionally, among Catholics, Mary Magdalene has been invoked against plague, ulcers and to look after ill children. Mary is also the patron saint of repentant women. Many Catholics believe that saints can protect against ill health and may help cure specific diseases.
On display
Science Museum: Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
If you are visiting to see this object, please contact us in advance to make sure that it will be on display.
Related people
Details
- Category:
- Classical & Medieval Medicine
- Object Number:
- A634981
- Materials:
- base, wood, eyes, glass and statue, wood
- type:
- statue
- taxonomy:
-
- visual and verbal communication
- sculpture
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
Cite this page
Rights
We encourage the use and reuse of our collection data.
Data in the title, made, maker and details fields are released under Creative Commons Zero
Descriptions and all other text content are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence
Download
Download catalogue entry as json
View 
manifest in IIIF viewer
Add to Animal Crossing Art Generator
Download manifest IIIF
Our records are constantly being enhanced and improved, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.
