Author: Andy Shield
The image of Mary Magdalene has been portrayed countless times. She's a Saint of heartfelt emotion, and one which resonates today, perhaps more than any other.
Her life was one of devotion, self-reflection, awakening and truth. She remained, when others didn't, overcame the pain of judgment, and had the courage to speak despite the potential of reprisals.
How can we look again at her story through art, and link it to the realities of our own ever-evolving lives?
Selfless Love
Master of Perea - Saint Mary Magdalene Anointing the Feet of Christ (c. 1500)
In this tender work by Spanish artist, the Master of Perea, Magdalene kneels at the feet of Christ, clasping an alabaster jar, intending to apply ointment in an act of humility. Around her, the disciples appear unsettled by her actions.
Her gesture is impulsive, a call from the heart, and exemplifies the innate human characteristic to care for those we love. As such, it transcends its biblical context and reminds us of those who selflessly tend to the needs of others. To kneel is not to give way, as it can imply resoluteness driven by instinct.
Reflection In Solitude
José de Ribera - Mary Magdalene in the Desert (1641)
Jusepe de Ribera's haunting portrayal of the Penitent Magdalene captures her in prayer, amid a still and desolate wilderness. While the eyes gaze longingly towards the heavens, her body remains rooted in the ground. A light, both earthly and divine, illuminates her flesh.
Her hair, once the very adornment that garnered attraction, is now dishevelled and natural. Beauty will fade, but one's acceptance is transcendental.
Her solitude embodies the inclination to retire from the clamour of society - to heal via introspection. By stepping away from the life we consider 'normal', inner renewal can reveal a strength otherwise concealed.
Independence Through Study
Rogier van der Weyden - The Magdalen Reading (Before 1438)
Rogier van der Weyden's 'The Magdalen Reading' focuses on her deeply contemplative nature. A subject less commonly depicted. Dressed in green and gold, she sits quietly, absorbed in a devotional text. She's oblivious to her surroundings, captivated by learning and immersed in study. Rather than a redeemed sinner, she's the embodiment of wisdom.
Van der Weyden's exquisite brushwork draws us towards the profound concentration in her eyes. Her intelligence is rarely the subject of paintings, yet evidently underestimated.
She reminds us of the need for personal development - for introspective contemplation to find self-worth and meaning. Magdalene's diligence translates as prayer, but also as independence. Via moments of escapism, we're able to contextualise ourselves within the complexities of life.
Continuity Following Loss
Rembrandt van Rijn - Christ and St Mary Magdalen at the Tomb (1638)
In Rembrandt's deliberately human portrayal of Christ's resurrection, we see Mary partially lit by the breaking dawn. There he stands, the very source of her despair, as an image she cannot fathom. The contrast of light and shade emphasises the disparate nature of earth versus the heavens, yet also the juxtaposition of loss and renewal.
This sense of continuity is all too familiar to those of us who have suffered grief - be it via a bereavement, or simply the closing of a chapter one felt intrinsically bound to. Yet, there's always a gradually emerging threshold whereby sorrow, that gut-wrenching void, gives way to hope and a new beginning. Life continues, as it did for Magdalene.
In the words of the French philosopher, Albert Camus, “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”
Respect & Validation
Master of the Magdalene Legend - Saint Mary Magdalene Preaching (c. 1500-1520)
In this early 16th-century Northern Renaissance panel painting, we see Magdalene conveying news of the resurrection before an audience of eager onlookers. She's transformed, following a metamorphosis - from a besieged outcast, to a self-aware, independent, fully-validated sage. Her hand gently rests upon her heart to imply both humility and love. While her position between two trees suggests permanency and grounded strength.
Reborn from a rich amalgamation of life experiences, her story concludes with inclusion and respect. She's no longer the downtrodden figure of a marked woman.
Today, this is perhaps the most meaningful chapter of Magdalene's tale. A survivor who, against all the odds, clung to her beliefs, despite the daunting plagues of naysayers. Whether one believes in God, love, care, or simply basic human kindness, we all share a kinship for 'faith' in the power to overcome.
Mary Magdalene transcends her biblical accounts and epitomises the entanglements of the human condition. Her images have been interpreted in many ways, yet she remains undeniably relevant. Love can heal loss, silence can breed understanding, and intellect is born from self-reflection.
Where artists found compassion in her story, in her, we see ourselves.