St Mary Magdalene
St Mary Magdalene
St Mary Magdalene

St Mary Magdalene

Author: N / A

Created, location: late 19th–early 20th century, Skuodas District, Barstyčių County, Geldėnų Village.

Material / technique: wood carving, polychrome.  

Dimensions: high - 39 cm.

St Mary Magdalene is the repentant sinner, follower and helper of Jesus Christ, who saw, heard and touched Jesus. She was born into the family of a wealthy farmer in the city of Magdala near Jerusalem. After her parents died, she left for Jerusalem and became a prostitute. One day she heard Jesus preaching, she soon became ashamed of her occupation, started repenting and honoured Jesus as you would honour a king. The Savour forgave her and cured her from evil spirits and diseases. Mary Magdalene became a devoted follower of Jesus, followed him to the Mount of Calvary, buried him when he was taken down from the cross and was the first to see him resurrected.

The saint is depicted with long curly hair.

There was one girl in the city who was a prostitute. She was called Mary Magdalene. One day listening to the preaching of Jesus Our Lord she felt pricks of consciousness and decided to convert /.../ During the meal time at the home of the Pharisee, she fell to the feet of beloved Jesusand began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment. /.../ Looking at the woman he said to Simon, ‘Do you see that woman? I entered into your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much. And he told her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ (Motiejus Valančius, „Žyvatas Jėzaus Kristaus Viešpaties mūsų“, Raštai3, p. 365–367)



Reference: "The Lithuanian art collection of Jaunius Gumbis". Museum and Collector - 6. Vilnius: National Museum of Lithuania, 2016, Kat. No, P. 260.

Exhibition: Exhibition of the collection of Lithuanian art of dr. Jaunius Gumbis "Collected and Preserved", September 2016 - January 2017, National Museum of Lithuania, Vilnius.

Published: "The Lithuanian art collection of Jaunius Gumbis". Museum and Collector - 6. Vilnius: National Museum of Lithuania, 2016, Kat. No, P. 261.

Photograph: display in the exhibition "Collected and Preserved", September 2016 - January 2017, National Museum of Lithuania, Vilnius.