Flemish school; XVII century. Lot n° 10

Flemish school; XVII century. "Penitent Magdalene". Oil on copper. It presents faults in the painting. Measurements: 17 x 13 cm; 25.5 x 21 cm (frame). In this work highlights the anatomy of the saint, with sharp features and defined arms, the young woman rests praying on a table. With her mouth slightly open and receiving the rays coming from the Glory break, located in the upper left zone, the woman prays in front of a still life composed of a crucifix, the Bible, a perfumery and the Skull. Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the New Testament as a distinguished disciple of Christ. According to the Gospels, she housed and materially provided for Jesus and his disciples during their stay in Galilee, and was present at the Crucifixion. She was a witness of the Resurrection, as well as the one in charge of transmitting the news to the apostles. She is also identified with the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with perfumes before his arrival in Jerusalem, so her main iconographic attribute is a knob of essences. While Eastern Christianity honors Mary Magdalene especially for her closeness to Jesus, considering her "equal to the apostles", in the West, based on her identification with other women in the Gospels, the idea developed that before meeting Jesus she had dedicated herself to prostitution, and hence the later legend that narrates her penance in the desert. While Eastern Christianity honors Mary Magdalene especially for her closeness to Jesus, considering her "equal to the apostles", in the West the idea developed, based on her identification with other women in the Gospels, that before meeting Jesus she had dedicated herself to prostitution. Hence the later legend narrates that she spent the rest of her life as a penitent in the desert, mortifying her flesh.