Artwork
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bernardino Campi. It dates from 1556 and is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
About this work
Overview
Rendered in oil on canvas, the work presents the saint in a solemn pose against a darkened backdrop, with a faint landscape visible beyond.
Bernardino Campi, a mid‑16th‑century painter from Cremona, executed a portrait of Mary Magdalene in 1556. Rendered in oil on canvas, the work presents the saint in a solemn pose against a darkened backdrop, with a faint landscape visible beyond. The composition balances a richly colored figure with subdued surroundings, emphasizing both her devotional presence and the artist’s emerging Baroque sensibility.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as Mary Magdalene, a biblical follower noted for repentance. She is dressed in a red gown beneath a white shawl, her head modestly covered, and holds a small, lidded vessel—an attribute traditionally linked to her role as a penitent who anointed Christ. The solemn expression and restrained gesture convey themes of humility and spiritual conversion.
Technique & Style
Campi employs oil paint to achieve fine detailing in the fabric’s folds and the delicate rendering of light on skin. A chiaroscuro effect creates a pronounced contrast between the illuminated figure and the shadowy background, a hallmark of the transitional period between the High Renaissance and early Baroque. The subtle landscape hints at depth without detracting from the central portrait.
History & Provenance
Created in 1556, the painting reflects Campi’s activity during a stylistic shift in northern Italy. It entered the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where it remains on display. The work’s provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop in Cremona before its acquisition by the Australian institution, underscoring its international journey.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bernadino Campi (1522–1591) was an Italian Renaissance painter from Cremona, who worked in Reggio Emilia.
