After Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Magdalene , Oil on Canvas

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Oil painting on canvas. The figure of Magdalene is represented here, as per tradition, with long red hair; with a … Read more Oil painting on canvas. The figure of Magdalene is represented here, as per tradition, with long red hair; with a gesture of painful dedication he fixes his gaze on the crucifix, which he holds with his left hand pressed against his right arm, which in turn is folded as a sign of collected penance. The whole body is rendered with a splendid opposing twist, which has the effect to make the spectator feel the tension of the moment experienced by the saint. To his left, the skull, his traditional attribute, is visible and in the background we can glimpse the outline of the cave in which it is placed. The part of the body emerges, thanks to the intense brightness of the arms, connected to the red ocher shades of the hair and face, thus also accentuating the erotic character of the scene, recalling the exuberant painting of Rubens, which had a great influence on Crespi's work. This captivating and very pleasant figure of the Magdalene follows the widespread trend in the 17th and 18th centuries of depicting the saints with an undertone of human sensuality, revealing the clients' preference for sacred themes imbued with profane elements. The painting, restored and relined, is presented in a late 19th-early 20th century frame. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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