Pacino di Bonaguida (act 1303–30), The last communion of St Mary Magdalene, Florence, Italy, c 1330 – c 1340. Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, MS McClean 201.4 (cat no 36). Reproduction by permission of the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

This miniature once belonged to a Laudario, or lay choir book, which consisted of Italian hymns of praise (’laude’) to Christ, the Virgin and the saints. It belonged to the confraternity of Saint Agnes at the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence. According to legend, Mary lived as a penitent in the wilderness around Aix for 30 years. This scene shows her at the moment of death being brought by angels to receive the body and blood of Christ from the saintly bishop Maximim. Her long hair, once the source of her beauty, and with which she dried the feet of Christ after washing them with her tears, is now a penitential garment. In keeping with the legendary account, Mary is raised above the ground in ecstasy as she receives her Lord.