Artwork
The Petitent Magdalen
The Petitent Magdalen is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Marcantonio Franceschini. It dates from 1689 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
About this work
Overview
The Penitent Magdalen is a 1689 oil painting by Marcantonio Franceschini, a painter from Bologna associated with the Baroque style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Mary Magdalene, dressed in white, surrounded by three other women. She is shown in a moment of contemplation, holding strings, with a book and beads nearby, suggesting a scene of spiritual reflection.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by the use of chiaroscuro, with the figures illuminated against a dark background, a technique typical of the Italian Baroque style.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister. Marcantonio Franceschini, the artist, was also a teacher, training his son Giacomo in the art of painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marcantonio Franceschini (Italian pronunciation: ; 1648 – 24 December 1729) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mostly in his native Bologna. He was the father and teacher of Giacomo Franceschini.
