Saints Magdalene and Scholastica Cola dell’Amatrice (Nicola Filotesio) (1480/90-1547/59)

The composition presents two female figures positioned within a shallow pictorial space framed by an arched top. The background depicts a distant landscape with a walled city and rolling hills under a cloudy sky. The foreground is dominated by the figures themselves, rendered in a style characterized by elongated proportions and a focus on detailed drapery.
On the left, a woman stands gazing upwards, her expression conveying a sense of contemplative yearning or spiritual aspiration. She wears a flowing red garment that clings to her form, revealing a hint of the body beneath. In her hand, she holds a small, ornate vessel – likely an alabaster jar – a common attribute associated with penitence and devotion. Her posture is one of supplication, with her left hand raised towards the heavens.
To her right stands another woman, similarly draped in rich fabrics – a dark tunic covered by a vibrant red cloak. She holds a sprig of flowering branches, possibly symbolizing renewal or divine grace. Her gaze is directed downwards, and her expression appears more serene and grounded than that of her companion. The contrast between the two women’s gestures and gazes suggests differing approaches to faith or spiritual experience.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by reds, browns, and creams, creating a sense of warmth and solemnity. Light falls unevenly on the figures, highlighting their faces and drapery while leaving portions of their bodies in shadow. This use of light contributes to the overall dramatic effect and draws attention to key symbolic elements.
The landscape background, though distant, provides context for the scene. The city may represent a place of worldly concerns from which the women have withdrawn, emphasizing their spiritual devotion. The hills suggest a journey or ascent towards something higher.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of faith, repentance, and divine grace. The differing postures and expressions of the two figures invite contemplation on the varied paths to spiritual fulfillment. The inclusion of symbolic objects – the alabaster jar and flowering branches – adds layers of meaning, enriching the narrative and prompting deeper reflection on the nature of piety and devotion.