Artwork
The Penitent St Mary Magdalene
The Penitent St Mary Magdalene is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
The Penitent St Mary Magdalene, created circa 1650 by 1993_person, is a portrait held in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work focuses on a close-up depiction of a woman’s face and shoulders.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is identified as St Mary Magdalene in a state of penitence. Her clasped hands and contemplative expression convey a sense of solemnity and repentance.
Technique & Style
The painting employs chiaroscuro, utilizing strong contrasts between light and dark to create dramatic depth. Notably, the technique is rendered in a remarkably realistic manner, resembling a photograph, which is unusual for artworks of this period and type.
History & Provenance
Created around 1650, the artwork is attributed to 1993_person. It is currently housed at the Museum of Ethnography, though detailed provenance prior to its museum acquisition is not provided here.
Context
The use of chiaroscuro places the work within Baroque artistic traditions, which often leveraged dramatic lighting for emotional emphasis. The focus on a religious figure’s introspection aligns with common themes of the era.
Legacy
While specific influences or subsequent artistic impacts of 'The Penitent St Mary Magdalene' are not detailed here, its unique blend of realism and Baroque lighting techniques contributes to its historical and artistic interest.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
