Penitent St. Magdalen and her Sister Martha
around 1620 | Peter Paul Rubens
In counter-reformatory religious literature, Mary Magdalene wrongly identified with Mary of Bethany, Martha’s sister, and the repentant prostitute – played an increasingly prominent role. Her conversion was seen as a symbol of divine mercy. Here, her casket filled with objects denoting vanity lies discarded at her feet; Rubens depicts her penitence by emphasizing her desperate gestures and expression. Martha, however, acts in a restrained and contemplative manner. Rubens‘soft and free handling helps to convey an emotional mood.
In counter-reformatory religious literature, Mary Magdalene wrongly identified with Mary of Bethany, Martha’s sister, and the repentant prostitute – played an increasingly prominent role. Her conversion was seen as a symbol of divine mercy. Here, her casket filled with objects denoting vanity lies discarded at her feet; Rubens depicts her penitence by emphasizing her desperate gestures and expression. Martha, however, acts in a restrained and contemplative manner. Rubens‘soft and free handling helps to convey an emotional mood.
Artist:
Peter Paul Rubens (1577 Siegen - 1640 Antwerpen) DNB
Time:
around 1620
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Flemish
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
205 x 157 cm
Framed: 239,5 x 192 x 11,2 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 683
Provenance
Jacob de Wit auction Amsterdam, 10.3.1754, lot. 1; Paul Schukking; Gallery Graf Nostitz, Prague; acquired 1786
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