Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Spanish, 1617-1682
Title: The Penitent Magdalene
Date: 1650-1655
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
152 x 104 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1962 (Shaw Fund)
Object Number: NGI.1720
Label TextMary of Magdala is shown kneeling in prayer at the entrance to a dark cave. Wealthy and dissolute and known as 'the sinner', she was converted by Christ and became one of his most devoted followers. She was unfaltering in her faith, grief and love, and as such became a symbol of Christian penitence. The subject of the repentant Magdalene was widespread during the Counter-Reformation and enjoyed particular popularity in Spain. Active in Seville, Murillo was a highly prolific artist of religious paintings in which he combined realism with a taste for sentimental beauty.

This website uses cookies

We use optional cookies to enhance your user experience and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services.

Details

About Cookies

Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. You can at any time change or withdraw your consent from the Cookie Declaration on our website. Learn more about who we are, how you can contact us and how we process personal data in our Privacy Policy. Please state your consent ID and date when you contact us regarding your consent.

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
JSESSIONIDeMuseumUser SessionSessionHTTP

Statistics Cookies

Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
_gaGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.2 yearsJavaScript
_gidGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.1 dayJavaScript