St. Mary Magdalene Carried up to Heaven by Angels

Mary Magdalene relinquished her sinful way of life after meeting Jesus Christ. She is seen here borne up by angels – a token of grace which, legend has it, was accorded her on a daily basis in her later life as a penitent in southern France. As she was borne aloft, she could listen to the heavenly choirs, receiving in this way spiritual sustenance, which she took instead of earthly food. Moreover, God caused her hair to grow so long that it clothed her like a garment. Hans Multscher, who had learned his craft at the courts of France, initiated a new phase in southern German sculpture around 1430, parallel to the paintings of such artists as Lucas Moser and Conrad Witz. The radiant bliss on the faces of Mary Magdalene and the angels shows his ability to convey spiritual states in an individual, highly differentiated way.