Mary Magdalene
by DESIDERIO DA SETTIGNANO, Painted wood
Desiderio was one of Donatello’s most gifted pupils. During his brief career he carved marble with astonishing subtlety and is still known for his busts of youths, often dressed as the young St John the Baptist. His last work was the painted wooden statue of St. Mary Magdalene, left unfinished and completed by Benedetto da Maiano after Desiderio’s death in 1464.