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444 - Mary Magdalene as a Penitent. Neapolitan School of Luca Gior…
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Estimate €12,000 - €25,000
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Description
Mary Magdalene as a Penitent. Neapolitan School of Luca Giordano – 17th century Oil on canvas. Dimensions 104 x 87 cm. The composition depicts Mary Magdalene in a profound state of spiritual contemplation, her gaze directed towards a luminous source descending from above as a manifestation of divine grace. Her hands rest on her chest in a gesture of repentance and religious fervour, whilst the figure emerges from a dark background accompanied by a skull, a traditional symbol of the fleeting nature of earthly life and of contemplation on death. The intense contrast between the enveloping shadows and the powerful, directed light draws attention to the face and the delicate flesh tones, emphasising the emotional dimension of the scene. The ample yellow drapery and soft fabrics that partially cover the figure contribute chromatic richness and compositional dynamism, balancing sensuality and spirituality in accordance with the ideals of Counter-Reformation painting. The execution demonstrates remarkable skill in the rendering of textures, gradations of light and anatomical construction—traits closely linked to the 17th-century Neapolitan school and the naturalistic legacy of Caravaggio. The work is an excellent example of Baroque penitential iconography, in which religious emotion is expressed through a visual language of intense dramatic force and profound devotional sensitivity.
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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