Artwork
Hl. Magdalena
Hl. Magdalena is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Hl.
About this work
Technique & Style
Chromatic restraint and subtle chiaroscuro produce a restrained, contemplative mood appropriate to the subject’s penitential iconography.
The painting employs oil on panel, consistent with early-sixteenth-century German devotional practice. Handling shows smooth transitions in the Magdalene’s drapery, with delicate glazes modeling the folds to suggest volume and movement. The face is rendered with fine, blended strokes that emphasize serene expression and inward focus.
The support is a single oak panel, prepared with a warm ground typical of Central European panels of the period. Chromatic restraint and subtle chiaroscuro produce a restrained, contemplative mood appropriate to the subject’s penitential iconography.
History & Provenance
The painting Hl. Magdalena was created around 1530 by the artist identified as Mailändisch. According to the sources, the work entered the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is now housed in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
The painting measures 64 cm in height and 48 cm in width, with an inception date of 1530‑01‑01. No earlier ownership, commission details, or provenance prior to its acquisition by the Bavarian State Painting Collections are provided in the available sources.
Overview
Hl. Magdalena is a painting depicting a serene woman, identified by her attributes as Saint Magdalene. The composition focuses on the subject, set against a dark background that accentuates her presence.
Subject & Meaning
The woman, Saint Magdalene, is portrayed with a calm demeanor, wearing a simple white collar and a dark, flowing robe. She holds a small, round object, likely a jar, symbolizing her association with anointing oils, a key element in her biblical narrative.
Artist & collection
