Master of the Legend of the Magdalen

Who is Master of the Legend of the Magdalen?

The Master of the Legend of the Magdalen was an Early Netherlandish painter, active from about 1483 to around 1527. He has not been identified; his name of convenience is derived from a large, now-dispersed altarpiece, which has been dated to between 1515 and 1520 based on the costumes of the donor figures. However other works attributed to him are extremely difficult to date with any accuracy. Many paintings have been linked with the triptych, which is though to have been finished late in the artist's career. Other major works include his two Magdalen panels in London.

Some of his portraits suggest a possible link with artists in Brussels, and it is thought that he worked there, and headed a large workshop. An early influence appears to have been Rogier van der Weyden; his work also shares characteristics with that of Bernard van Orley, and a link with the Master of the Death of the Virgin has been suggested. Like van Orley, this artist is believed to have been active in the court of Margaret of Habsburg, regent of the Netherlands from 1507 until 1530.