In the art historical tradition, Mary of Magdalen is often depicted with an ointment jar. Besides being a visual representation of a recurring attribute, this jar is first and foremost an olfactory symbol, as she was one of the ‘Myrrh Bearers’ who visited Jesus after he deceased to anoint him with aromatic resins (‘myrrh’ is often used in the Bible to signify ‘resin’ and not a specific resin).
But she is often confused with the main character of another fragrant story; that of Mary of Bethany.
In this story from the New Testament Jesus is invited by Lazarus’ to celebrate his resurrection (since Lazarus had been dead for a while, the ancient text mentions that he smelled quite foul, but only to disbeleivers). When Jesus arrived, Mary ‘took a pound of pure and very expensive spikenard oil. She poured it over his feet, and wiped them dry with her hair. The whole house was filled with fragrant perfume’.
Although the meaning has gone lost, this sentence is incredibly significant.
First of all, a pound of spikenard – which would have come all the way from the Himalayas and which smells like valerian – would have cost a year’s income. This means this particular Mary must have been quite wealthy and generous, suggesting she was quite close to Jesus. Secondly, the use of spikenard was restricted to kings, pharaoh’s, priests and God. By applying this specific oil, she was giving off a clear message: ‘someone of divine status is among us’. This message was immediately understood by everyone since ‘the whole house was filled with fragrant perfume’.
Finally, evangelist John mentions how Mary anoints Jesus’ feet. Since this is customary for the deceased, and not the living, Mary was demonstrably aware of Jesus’ untimely death which was to happen in a week from then.
This specific composition by the Master of Mansi – a Dutch Renaissance painter – is extraordinary and quite rare. Mary is positioned at half-length, full faced, looking the viewer straight in the eyes and opening her jar, actively involving you in the action. It is almost as if she wants to enable you to connect to the story by putting yourself in Jesus’ position, and imagining the smell escaping her jar like a fragrant promise. And we are all nose witnesses.
Futurist Scents 