Donatello’s Mary Magdalene May Depict a Rare Disease, Study Suggests

A groundbreaking scientific study has used modern medical analysis to shed new light on one of Florence’s most haunting Renaissance masterpieces: Donatello’s Penitent Mary Magdalene. Created between 1453 and 1455, the wooden sculpture in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo departs sharply from the traditional, idealised iconography of the saint.

Instead, Donatello presents a gaunt figure with a sunken face, hollow eyes, long unkempt hair, extremely thin limbs with muscles and tendons visible beneath the skin, pronounced veins, and an aged appearance.

According to research published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, these features are consistent with a rare condition known as lipodystrophy — a disease characterised by the loss of body fat tissue. The study, conducted by the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù in collaboration with the Osservatorio Malattie Rare (OMaR) and the Italian Ministry of Culture, applies the tools of paleopathology to Renaissance art.

Paleopathology combines historical evidence with modern medical knowledge to identify diseases of the past. In this case, researchers analysed high-resolution images and three-dimensional scans of the sculpture to assess its anatomical accuracy. The detailed carving of veins, tendons, and musculature was found to be not only artistically remarkable but also medically precise.

By comparing these physical traits to documented cases of lipodystrophy, the team concluded that Donatello likely based the statue on a real person suffering from the disease. This approach mirrors studies of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and South American artworks, where careful observation of anatomical details has offered clues about the prevalence and perception of various medical conditions in past societies.

Beyond its art historical significance, the research underscores how advances in digital imaging, anatomical modelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration are transforming the way we interpret masterpieces. Artworks like Donatello’s Mary Magdalene are not only cultural treasures but also silent witnesses to the medical realities of their time.

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