Spanish school; XVII century.

Spanish school; 17th century.
"Penitent Magdalene".
Polychrome earthenware
Slight losses.
Measurements: 25 x 21 x 18 cm.
Sculpture modelled in clay representing Mary Magdalene in a moment of reflection, observing the skull that she holds in one of her hands. The saint is shown kneeling, in an attitude of clemency. Formally, the sculpture pays particular attention to the folds of her garment, which fall down the back of her body, creating pronounced curves. However, her serene face, peaceful posture and the roundness of the forms move away to a certain extent from the baroque taste, in favour of a more measured sculptural sense of classical influence, where the volumetric aspect has great weight. The piece is thus exceptional in its artistic sense. Although the work was conceived as a free-standing piece, carefully worked in all its angles, it is highly probable that it belonged to a larger sculptural ensemble, probably intended for private devotion.
Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the New Testament as a distinguished disciple of Christ. According to the Gospels, she housed and provided materially for Jesus and his disciples during their stay in Galilee, and was present at the Crucifixion. She was a witness to the Resurrection, as well as the one in charge of transmitting the news to the apostles. She is also identified with the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus with perfumes before his arrival in Jerusalem, which is why her main iconographic attribute is a knob of essences. Alone, Mary Magdalene is often depicted in a variable of the one presented here, doing penance in the desert, repentant for her past sins. The story of this saint serves as an example of Christ's forgiveness, and conveys the message of the possibility of redemption of the soul through repentance and faith.