Artwork

Magdalene Washing the Feet of Christ with Eight Disciples Looking On [recto]

Magdalene Washing the Feet of Christ with Eight Disciples Looking On [recto] 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

Created in 1710 by Donato Creti, an Italian artist based in Bologna, *Magdalene Washing the Feet of Christ with Eight Disciples Looking On* is a pen and brown ink drawing on laid paper, attributed to the Baroque period despite the artist's stylistic leanings.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing illustrates a pivotal religious moment: Magdalene anointing Christ's feet, observed by eight disciples, conveying themes of devotion and witness.

Technique & Style

Creti's formal, academic approach is evident in the crisp modeling of figures, diverging from the more ornate Rococo tendencies of his time, instead aligning with the dramatic intensity of the Baroque.

History & Provenance

While specific provenance details are not provided, the work is dated to 1710, with Creti's influence in Bologna underscored by his notable pupils, including Aureliano Milani and Francesco Monti.

Context

Although often associated with the Rococo due to its creation during the early 18th century, the work's dramatic and emotionally intense subject matter aligns more closely with the Baroque movement's characteristics.