1644
oil
canvas
From the collection of Hermitage Museum
St Mary Magdalene is a 1644 oil by Carlo Dolci, a Early Baroque Italian work, depicting Mary Magdalene, held at Hermitage Museum.
This painting depicts a woman with long, dark hair and a red robe, holding a white cloth in her left hand. She is surrounded by a halo, and her gaze is directed downward. The background is dark, with some greenery visible on the left side. The woman's attire and the halo suggest that she is a religious figure. The dark background and the woman's downward gaze create a somber mood. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and emotion to the painting. If you're interested in learning more about this style, you might want to explore the work of the artist who used it to great effect: Carlo Dolci.
Carlo (or Carlino) Dolci (25 May 1616 – 17 January 1686) was an Italian Baroque painter active mainly in Florence, known for highly finished religious pictures, often repeated in many versions.
See the richer artist page
