Elevation of the Magdalen
| Support Type: | Wood Panel |
| Paint Type: | Tempera |
| Current Location: | Museo Pala del Pollaiolo, Staggia Senese, Poggibonsi, Province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy |
| Location History: | Originally commissioned as an altarpiece for the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta in Staggia. It was later rediscovered in 1899 and is now preserved in the Museo Pala del Pollaiolo in Staggia Senese. |
The subject of Antonio del Pollaiuolo's Elevation of the Magdalen is Saint Mary Magdalene, supported and carried upwards towards heaven by angels and taking the host. It is located in a bleak wasteland to remind viewers of life's suffering and the salvation they are hoping for beyond it. Her body, gaunt with her suffering and her body with flowing hair suggest many years of penitence. Her praying hands and upwards gaze portray ultimate surrender. For me the painting is about suffering being turned to spiritual uplift. Magdalene's body being feeble only serves to support the proof of her spirituality and is a sign that she has conquered all physical suffering. I admire the sense of upward motion created by the angels who are so graceful but still with great vigor and force, adding a sense ofdramaandtenderness to the holy moment. This Eucharist offering is further evidence that it is spirit not body, in this case in the form of holy communion, that gives sustenance in any circumstances, including utter loneliness. To me it teaches people that spiritual strength is only made evident and grows stronger by humble action, suffering and belief. I don't necessarily think it is saying, the more suffering then the higher they will rise but that real uplift arises from suffering through God.