Artwork
Die büßende Magdalena
Die büßende Magdalena is an oil painting by Natale Schiavoni. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1831 by the Italian painter and engraver Natale Schiavoni, *Die büßende Magdalena* is an oil on canvas that portrays a solitary figure in a contemplative pose. The work belongs to the religious genre and is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a kneeling woman identified as Mary Magdalene, a biblical figure associated with repentance. She is barefoot, her long blond hair flowing freely, and she wears a modest gray dress that reaches her ankles. Her hands rest gently on her lap while her gaze is directed downward, suggesting introspection and penitence.
Technique & Style
Schiavoni employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to isolate the figure from a dark backdrop. The contrast highlights the delicate modeling of the face and hands, while a muted red cloth and a golden basket provide subtle color accents. The overall effect is one of quiet drama achieved through careful manipulation of light and dark.
History & Provenance
The painting was completed in the early 1830s, a period when Schiavoni was active in Vienna and known for history paintings and portraiture. It entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection, where it remains on display, offering insight into the artist’s engagement with religious subjects during his Viennese period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Natale Schiavoni (25 April 1777 – 15 April 1858) was an Italian painter and engraver, specializing in history and portraits. Many of his paintings depict seductive nubile women.
