Artwork
The Penitent Mary Magdalene
The Penitent Mary Magdalene is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Francesco Furini. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
The Penitent Mary Magdalene is a 1632 Baroque painting by Italian artist and priest Francesco Furini, characterized by its blend of religious and secular elements, executed in a sensual sfumato technique.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Mary Magdalene in a moment of quiet contemplation, her introspective gaze and hand on her chest conveying deep emotional introspection, typical of 17th-century Italian artistic depictions of the subject.
Technique & Style
Furini employs sfumato to create a soft, hazy effect, juxtaposing the illuminated face of Mary Magdalene against a dark background, emphasizing her emotional state through chiaroscuro.
History & Provenance
Created during Furini's Florentine prominence, the work is now part of the Statens Museum for Kunst's collection.
Context
Reflecting early Baroque tendencies, the painting balances religious themes with a sensual approach, characteristic of Furini's style during this period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Furini ( 10 apr. 1603 – 19 August 1646) was an Italian Baroque painter, poet and priest. He was a leading painter in Florence in the second quarter of the 17th century and also worked in Rome. He was noted for…
