Artwork
The Magdalen
The Magdalen is a watercolor painting by the American Impressionist artist Anne Hall. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work titled The Magdalen, painted by Anne Hall in 1830 as a watercolor on ivory, portrays Mary Magdalene in a devotional portrait typical of religious art.
The work titled The Magdalen, painted by Anne Hall in 1830 as a watercolor on ivory, portrays Mary Magdalene in a devotional portrait typical of religious art. The subject is identified as the biblical figure known for her penitential reputation, and the composition includes conventional iconographic elements such as long hair and a contemplative expression that signal repentance and spiritual devotion. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing collection, the piece reflects 19th‑century American interest in biblical narratives and the moral symbolism associated with the Magdalene’s transformation from sinner to saint.
Technique & Style
This miniature portrait employs watercolor on ivory, a delicate support that allowed fine, translucent layers and intricate detail typical of early nineteenth-century American portrait miniatures. The artist rendered Mary Magdalene’s features with meticulous precision, using controlled brushwork to articulate facial contours and costume details while preserving the luminous quality of the ivory beneath the watercolor. The small scale (9.4 × 9.5 cm) and refined handling reflect the intimate devotional function of such works, emphasizing clarity of line and subtle modeling over broad painterly effects.
The religious subject and modest dimensions align with contemporaneous American miniature traditions, prioritizing legibility and reverence within a compact format.
History & Provenance
Created in 1830, The Magdalen is a watercolor on ivory executed by the American artist Anne Hall. The work, which portrays Mary Magdalene within the religious genre, measures approximately 9.4 by 9.5 units. While specific details regarding its original commission or early ownership chain are not provided in the available records, the piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under the American Wing.
The artwork's inception date is firmly established as 1830, marking its place in early nineteenth-century American portraiture and religious art.
Anne Hall's 1830 watercolor on ivory, titled The Magdalen, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work is classified within the museum's American Wing and depicts a portrait of Mary Magdalene. While the source material confirms the artwork's presence in the institution and its creation date, it does not provide specific inventory or accession numbers, nor does it list a history of exhibitions for this piece.
The physical dimensions are recorded as 9.4 by 9.5 units, and the piece remains part of the permanent collection as a work of religious art.
Overview
This small watercolor portrait, titled The Magdalen, depicts a woman with flowing hair and a contemplative expression, holding a jar. Executed on ivory, the work showcases a delicate approach to miniature painting, a technique that allows light to interact with the translucent surface. It is a notable example of early American portraiture, reflecting both religious themes and a sense of individual introspection.
Context
Anne Hall was among the pioneering American artists to extensively utilize watercolor on ivory for portraiture. Her proficiency in this specialized technique established her as a significant figure in early 19th-century American art. Her contributions helped popularize miniature portraits, which were often cherished personal mementos. This work exemplifies her skill in capturing both the likeness and the inner disposition of her sitters.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ann (or Anne) Hall (1792–1863) was an American painter and miniaturist. Ann Hall has been described as the most successful miniature painter active in early nineteenth-century New York, renowned for her engaging…
Portrait of a Girl
Jomfru Maria med et blåt slør, ses i en blomsterkrans
Cap de madonă
Wall painting on black ground: landscape, from the imperial villa at Boscotrecase
Den hellige Barbara
Jomfru Maria med et blåt slør, ses i en blomsterkrans
Head of a Woman Looking Down
Penitent Magdalene
Den hellige Barbara
A Young Woman with a Bow in Her Hair
Muza Thalia din Parnas- The Magdalen