Who painted The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene?

The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene was painted by Godfried Schalcken in 1692.

Where can I see The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene?

The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene?

The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene?

Museum-quality prints of The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene

Godfried Schalcken , 1692

The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Godfried Schalcken. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Godfried Schalcken, a Dutch painter associated with the fijnschilders of Leiden, completed an oil painting titled *The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene* in 1692.

Godfried Schalcken, a Dutch painter associated with the fijnschilders of Leiden, completed an oil painting titled *The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalene* in 1692. Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the work presents a solitary figure illuminated by a single flame, creating a striking contrast between light and darkness. The painting is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays Mary Magdalene in a moment of contemplation, holding a small candle that casts a warm glow on her bare shoulders and the coarse fabric surrounding her. Her gaze is directed upward, suggesting a blend of serenity and inner unease, reflecting the saint’s traditional association with repentance and spiritual introspection.

Technique & Style

Schalcken’s handling of light follows the chiaroscuro tradition, using a single candle as the sole light source to model the figure’s flesh and cloth. Thick impasto in highlighted areas captures the reflective quality of skin, while the surrounding darkness recedes, emphasizing the luminous effect. The meticulous detail aligns with the fijnschilder approach to texture and surface.

History & Provenance

Created in the late 17th century, the painting entered the holdings of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but the work has been recognized as a representative example of Schalcken’s religious output.

Context

Schalcken’s career was dominated by genre scenes and portraiture, yet he occasionally turned to devotional subjects, employing his renowned skill with candlelight. The painting reflects broader Dutch interests in moralizing imagery and the visual exploration of light as a metaphor for spiritual illumination, themes common among his contemporaries in Leiden.