The Penitent Magdalen

Creator Name

Georges de La Tour

Cultural Context

French

Date

17th century

About the work

curationist logoCurationist Object Description
Also known as Magdalen with Two Flames, The Penitent Magdalen, is one of several paintings of Mary Magdalen by Georges de La Tour. De La Tour depicted Mary in front of mirrors, lit by candlelight, and surrounded by worldly and spiritual objects. In this version, Mary casts her jewelry aside, symbolizing her rejection of earthly possessions. A skull rests in her lap as a memento mori, indicative of mortality. Mary does not appear in the mirror, representing her commitment to piety over the flesh.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Object Description

Painting

Work details

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= Curationist added metadata(Learn more)

Title

The Penitent Magdalen

Creator

Georges de La Tour, Painter
Georges de La Tour, French, Vic-sur-Seille 1593–1652 Lunéville, Artist

Worktype

Paintings

Cultural Context

French

Material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

52 1/2 x 40 1/4 in. (133.4 x 102.2 cm);
height: 133.4centimetre;
width: 102.2centimetre

Technique

--

Language

--

Date

17th century
ca. 1640

Provenance

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1978

Style Period

Baroque

Rights

Public Domain
Public Domain

Inscription

--

Location

--

Subjects

Memento mori; Vanity; Jewelry; Vanitas; Woman; Mirror; Candle; Reflection
Skulls; Mary Magdalene; Candles; Mirrors

Topic

Mirrors

Curationist Metadata Contributors

Amanda Acosta

All Works in Curationist’s archives can be reproduced and used freely. How to attribute this Work:

Georges de La Tour, The Penitent Magdalen, circa 1640. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Georges De La Tour depicted Mary Magdalen in front of mirrors, lit by candlelight, and surrounded by worldly and spiritual objects. Public Domain.

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