Artwork
Martha scolding her vain sister Mary Magdalene
Martha scolding her vain sister Mary Magdalene is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Francisco Lupicini. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Francesco Lupicini, an Italian artist active in Zaragoza, completed Martha scolding her vain sister Mary Magdalene in 1630. This oil painting exemplifies the early Baroque style, presenting a domestic scene that features the biblical sisters Martha and Mary Magdalene. The composition includes a casket and other symbolic objects, setting a narrative tone within a shadowy interior.
Subject & Meaning
To her left, Martha leans forward, appearing to admonish her sister.
The painting portrays three women gathered around a red table, with the central figure, likely Mary Magdalene, shown in a low-cut, gold-trimmed dress, exuding a confident demeanor. To her left, Martha leans forward, appearing to admonish her sister. A third woman, possibly a servant, sits to the right. Symbolic objects on the table, including a small mirror, a jar, and a gold box, allude to Mary Magdalene's traditional association with vanity and her subsequent penitence.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, Lupicini's work reflects characteristics of the early Italian Baroque. The composition arranges three figures around a table, drawing the viewer into the intimate narrative. A dark, shadowy background creates a sense of depth, with a subtle hint of an outdoor tree. The artist uses contrasting expressions—from the central figure's defiance to the others' seriousness—to convey the emotional tension inherent in the scene.
History & Provenance
This painting entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum after its acquisition by Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. Its significance was further documented through its inclusion in Theatrum Pictorum, a notable catalog of the Archduke's extensive art collection. An engraving of the work was produced for this publication, attesting to its early recognition and integration into a prominent European collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Lupicini (1590 – 1656) was an Italian painter active in Zaragoza. Lupicini was born in Florence and was a cousin or brother of Gian Battista Lupicini, who has often been listed as the painter of his works. His…
