Artwork
Female Figure (Penitent Magdalene?) [verso]
![Female Figure (Penitent Magdalene?) [verso], by Donato Creti, ink, 1710](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/donato-creti--female-figure-penitent-magdalene-verso--b0756d00ad6853a6-w1024.webp)
Female Figure (Penitent Magdalene?) [verso] is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Donato Creti. It dates from 1710 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Donato Creti's 'Female Figure (Penitent Magdalene?)' is a drawing created in 1710 using pen and brown ink on laid paper. It exemplifies the artist's academic style, which blended elements of the Rococo and Neoclassicism.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a lone female figure, possibly representing a penitent Magdalene. Her loose hair and twisted posture convey a sense of movement and emotional intensity.
Technique & Style
Creti's use of pen and brown ink on laid paper results in a sketchy, textured appearance. The lines are quick and light, with visible variations in ink density, characteristic of a rapid study.
Context
This drawing reflects the artistic practices of the early 18th century, when artists like Creti used quick sketches to explore figure poses and emotions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Donato Creti (24 February 1671 – 31 January 1749) was an Italian painter of the Rococo period, active mostly in Bologna, Papal States.



![Magdalene Washing the Feet of Christ with Eight Disciples Looking On [recto], by Donato Creti](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/donato-creti--magdalene-washing-the-feet-of-christ-with-eight-disciples-lo--25318e941cc7fc91-w320.webp)
![The Adoration of the Magi [recto], by Donato Creti](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/donato-creti--the-adoration-of-the-magi-recto--2cfd5d76b55e821e-w320.webp)
![Penitent Magdalene with Angels in a Landscape [recto], by Donato Creti](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/donato-creti--penitent-magdalene-with-angels-in-a-landscape-recto--329b67c038e377df-w320.webp)


![Seven Figures Witnessing an Ascension [verso], by Donato Creti](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/donato-creti--seven-figures-witnessing-an-ascension-verso--e80b3c17c151416b-w320.webp)
![Two Studies of the Statue of Alexander and Bucephalus [verso], by Hubert Robert](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/hubert-robert--two-studies-of-the-statue-of-alexander-and-bucephalus-verso--c8baec3f622cceea-w320.webp)
![Biblical Scene [verso], by Sebastiano Ricci](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/sebastiano-ricci--biblical-scene-verso--d33f1e2abb3d29f7-w320.webp)


![Figure Studies [recto], by Giovanni Battista Cipriani](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/giovanni-battista-cipriani--figure-studies-recto--32b47b1a71716a78-w320.webp)


