Artwork
Cristo e la Maddalena
Cristo e la Maddalena is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Federico Barocci. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1596 by the Italian painter Federico Barocci, *Cristo e la Maddalena* is an oil on canvas work that portrays a moment of quiet interaction between two biblical figures. The composition belongs to the early Baroque period in Italy and is currently part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents Jesus Christ, identifiable by his long hair, beard, and red‑white garments, engaged in a gentle dialogue with Mary Magdalene, who is seated in a gold‑pink robe with her hand raised to her head. The subdued exchange suggests a contemplative, perhaps penitential, atmosphere rather than a dramatic narrative.
Technique & Style
Barocci employs a restrained chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures and give them a three‑dimensional presence. The background recedes into a modest landscape of distant buildings and trees, rendered with softer tones that keep the focus on the central pair.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the work has remained within European collections, eventually entering the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it is displayed among other examples of early Baroque religious painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Federico Barocci (also written Barozzi) (c. 1535 – 30 September 1612) was an Italian Renaissance painter and printmaker. His original name was Federico Fiori, and he was nicknamed Il Baroccio. His work was highly…
