Artwork
The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalen
The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalen is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Domenico Tintoretto. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, titled 'The Penitent Saint Mary Magdalen', depicts a kneeling figure in a somber atmosphere, characteristic of Domenico Tintoretto's later religious works.
Subject & Meaning
The painting represents Saint Mary Magdalen, often associated with the penitent harlot from Luke (7:36 ff), shown in a moment of prayer and contemplation, referencing her legendary retreat to a grotto at Sainte-Baume.
Technique & Style
The artwork employs chiaroscuro, utilizing dark colors to create a solemn mood, and is executed in a style that diverges from Tintoretto's earlier, more vibrant manner, reflecting a shift towards effectively conveying Counter-Reformation ideals.
History & Provenance
The V&A painting is a 19th-century Northern European copy, on oak panel, of a lost original by Domenico Tintoretto, which was engraved by Raphael Sadeler I in 1609, indicating the copy was made after the print.
Artist & collection
Artist
Domenico Robusti, also known as Domenico Tintoretto, was an Italian painter from Venice. He grew up under the tutelage of his father, the renowned painter Jacopo Tintoretto.
