“Repentant Mary Magdalene”
This hauntingly beautiful marble sculpture is by the Italian Neoclassical artist, Antonio Canova, from 1793-1796, and is titled “Repentant Mary Magdalene”. Canova did not often depict Biblical subjects but decided to create this piece during his later years of work. It was lauded when it was first shown at the Paris Salon in 1808. It was his first piece to receive such praise at that venue, so he created a second and very similar version between 1808-1809.
According to the story, Mary Magdalene met Jesus Christ who inspired her to change her sinful ways. To work through her past, she spent time in the desert thinking over and lamenting the deeds that she had done.
This sculpture shows Mary Magdalene as a young woman in hermit’s clothes, kneeling penitent, feeling sorrow and regret for her sinful life. She is holding a bronze cross in her arms and a human skull representing the fleeting existence of life is present next to her knee.
This is one in a series of works based on the same subject that has been quite popular with various artists over the years. Caravaggio created a painting titled “Penitent Magdalene” depicting Mary Magdalene in a similar pose. The great Donatello had also made a wooden sculpture titled “Magdalene Penitent”, though this art master depicted Mary Magdalene in a much more haggard and realistic state than the idealized youthful woman of the other artists.
“Repentant Mary Magdalene” is currently on display at the Palazzo Doria-Tursi of the Strada Nuova Museums in Genoa, Italy and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
For more on Antonio Canova, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
