Artwork
Mary Magdalene Saint Peter of Verona Saint Catharine of Sienna and Blessed Margaret of Hungary
Mary Magdalene Saint Peter of Verona Saint Catharine of Sienna and Blessed Margaret of Hungary is a mixed painting by the Early Renaissance artist Juan de Borgoña. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1515 by Juan de Borgoña, this mixed‑technique panel presents four saints arrayed on a red cloth. The central figure kneels with a book, while the others stand, bearing a cross, a heart, and clasped hands. All are rendered with calm expressions, golden halos, and a subdued palette that emphasizes their sanctity.
Subject & Meaning
The work brings together Mary Magdalene, Saint Peter of Verona, Saint Catherine of Siena, and Blessed Margaret of Hungary, each identified by traditional attributes—a book, a cross, a heart, and a prayerful gesture. The composition underscores themes of penitence, devotion, and the intercessory role of female sanctity within the Christian tradition.
Technique & Style
Borgoña employs a blend of oil and tempera, allowing delicate modeling of flesh and fabric. Soft, graduated shadows create a gentle chiaroscuro that gives the figures a three‑dimensional presence, while the restrained color scheme and precise line work reflect the balanced, serene aesthetic typical of High Renaissance painting.
History & Provenance
Born in the former Duchy of Burgundy, the artist settled in Toledo and worked there until his death in 1536. This 1515 painting entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s holdings of Spanish Renaissance art.
Context
During the early sixteenth century, Spanish patrons favored devotional panels that combined local piety with the compositional harmony of Italian Renaissance models. Borgoña’s training in Burgundian and Italian traditions enabled him to meet these tastes, producing works that merged detailed landscape or drapery backgrounds with orderly, reverent figures.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Juan de Borgoña (c. 1470–1536), was a High Renaissance painter who was born in the Duchy of Burgundy, probably just before it ceased to exist as an independent state, and was active in Spain from about 1495 to 1536. His…
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