Artwork
Maria Magdalena
Maria Magdalena is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Mattia Preti. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents the saint as the main visual element, aligning with traditional iconographic representations of her in Baroque religious painting.
Mattia Preti's painting depicts Mary Magdalene as its central and sole subject. Created in 1656, the work falls within the genre of religious art, focusing on the biblical figure known for her role in the New Testament. The composition presents the saint as the main visual element, aligning with traditional iconographic representations of her in Baroque religious painting. The piece is held within the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on canvas, created by Mattia Preti in 1656. It measures 127.5 cm in height and 102.2 cm in width, depicting Mary Magdalene in a religious composition. The painting belongs to the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is housed in the Alte Pinakothek.
Preti’s handling of light and color emphasizes the contemplative expression of the Magdalene, while his brushwork renders the textures of fabric and flesh with a naturalistic yet expressive approach. These stylistic choices reflect the Baroque emphasis on emotional intensity and dramatic chiaroscuro, aligning with the broader trends of 17th‑century Italian religious art.
History & Provenance
The painting Maria Magdalena, a religious work depicting Mary Magdalene, was executed by Mattia Preti in 1656, as recorded by its inception date. It is classified as a painting and entered the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where it is now displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The sources do not specify an original commission or earlier owners, so the provenance is defined by its current institutional ownership within that collection.
The painting Maria Magdalena by Mattia Preti, dated 1656, is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. It is currently located at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The work measures 127.5 cm in height and 102.2 cm in width.
No specific inventory number or exhibition history for this artwork is provided in the available sources.
Overview
This 1656 canvas by Mattia Preti presents Mary Magdalene in a moment of solitary devotion. The work belongs to the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains as an example of Preti's mature religious imagery. The composition isolates the saint against a turbulent, shadow-filled sky, directing attention to her gesture and expression rather than to narrative incident.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mattia Preti was an Italian Baroque artist who worked in Italy and Malta. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Saint John.
