Artwork
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Pietro Novelli. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1636 by the Sicilian Baroque artist Pietro Novelli, this oil painting portrays the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. Executed in the early Baroque idiom, the work is part of the collection of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it is displayed among other religious genre pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a solitary woman dressed in a dark robe, her hands extended upward as she gazes toward the upper left corner. Above her, three infant angels hover, their lighter tones contrasting with the surrounding gloom, suggesting a celestial presence that underscores the saint’s penitential devotion.
Technique & Style
Novelli employs chiaroscuro to heighten the figure’s silhouette against a predominantly dark background, allowing the illuminated angels to appear almost weightless. The brushwork combines the smooth modeling typical of early Baroque portraiture with delicate rendering of the angels’ wings and drapery, creating a subtle interplay of light and shadow.
History & Provenance
After its completion in Palermo, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Kunsthistorisches Museum in the 19th century. Its presence in the museum’s holdings reflects the institution’s broader effort to represent Italian Baroque art, particularly works from the less‑documented Sicilian school.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pietro Novelli (March 2, 1603 – August 27, 1647) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Palermo.
