Mary Magdalene is one of the best-known figures in the Bible and has been a frequent inspiration to artists and writers over the last 2000 years. However, her identity has provoked much debate.

In this gnostic gospel, Mary Magdalene appears as a disciple, singled out by Jesus for special teachings. In this excerpt, the other disciples are discouraged and grieving Jesus' death.

Artemisia Gentileschi painted Mary Magdalene in a sudden swoon -— a tradition of matching physical beauty to spiritual elevation. What if you put down your phone, turned away from your bedroom ...

“This is Mary Magdalene at a later moment in her life ... Besides this work’s previous auction appearance 25 years ago, only two paintings by Raphael have come to auction in the 21st century ...