Cushion with Mary Magdalen

Art Historical Context

This 19th-century cushion, made of silk and cotton, depicts Mary Magdalen, one of the most revered figures in Christian tradition. Measuring roughly 13¾ by 11¾ inches with a gusset, the textile was likely intended for ecclesiastical use—perhaps as part of an altar cushion or devotional furnishing—where its imagery would have reinforced themes of penitence and devotion within a church setting. Classified among the Metropolitan Museum’s ecclesiastical textiles in the Robert Lehman Collection, the piece reflects Italy’s long-standing tradition of producing finely worked fabrics for religious con...