Penitent Magdalen, by Espinosa (1650, c.)

Penitent Magdalen, by Espinosa (1650, c.)

Original title: Magdalena penitente ("Penitent Magdalen").

This image represents Mary Magdalen doing penance. She is covered with a blue shroud and looks up with tears in her eyes. She is holding a skull that presents no gender traits. On her left there is a cross and a container.
Espinosa represented Mary Magdalen with a masculinized body as a result of her penance, which is the renounce of the flesh.

Espinosa, Jerónimo Jacinto (1600-1667)

Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain.
https://www.museodelprado.es/coleccion/obra-de-arte/magdalena-penitente/08a94dd4-81e2-4657-9070-707f86a227d0

Archived in:
https://web.archive.org/web/20201001050810/https://www.museodelprado.es/coleccion/obra-de-arte/magdalena-penitente/08a94dd4-81e2-4657-9070-707f86a227d0

Inventory number: P007621

1650, c.

Oil on canvas.
Dimensions: 112 × 88.7 cm