Who painted Temptation of Mary Magdalen?

Temptation of Mary Magdalen was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1616.

Where can I see Temptation of Mary Magdalen?

Temptation of Mary Magdalen is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Temptation of Mary Magdalen?

Temptation of Mary Magdalen is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Temptation of Mary Magdalen?

Museum-quality prints of Temptation of Mary Magdalen are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Temptation of Mary Magdalen

Jacob Jordaens , 1616

Temptation of Mary Magdalen is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1616 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Jacob Jordaens painted Temptation of Mary Magdalen in 1616, a work now held by the Art Institute of Chicago. Executed in the Flemish Baroque idiom, the canvas presents a contemplative scene in which the biblical figure is shown in a moment of inner reflection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on Mary Magdalene, dressed in a vivid red garment over a white under‑shirt, clutching a skull and a rosary. Her head rests on her hand and her eyes are closed, suggesting meditation on mortality and penitence amid the notion of temptation.

Technique & Style

Jordaens employs strong chiaroscuro, setting the figures against a dark background that heightens the luminous reds and whites of the clothing. Thick impasto in the flesh and drapery adds tactile presence, while the overall palette remains restrained, reinforcing the somber tone.

History & Provenance

Created during Jordaens’s ascendancy as Antwerp’s foremost painter after the deaths of Rubens and van Dyck, the painting remained within the Low Countries before entering the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.

Context

The work belongs to Jordaens’s broader series of biblical and allegorical subjects, reflecting the Counter‑Reformation’s emphasis on personal piety. Its focus on a solitary, introspective saint aligns with contemporary Flemish devotional imagery that sought to engage viewers in moral contemplation.