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Penitent Magdalene (Titian, 1531) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with the same artist's 1565 version of the same subject.

The Penitent Magdalene is a painting of saint Mary Magdalene by Titian dating to around 1531, signed 'TITIANUS' on the ointment jar to the left. It is now in the Sala di Apollo of the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy.

It was commissioned by the Duke of Mantua, Federico Gonzaga, to be a devotional image for the famous poet Vittoria Colonna (1490-1547). However, it is universally believed that Vittoria gave the Magdalen away to Eleonora Gonzaga, as it was found in her son the Duke of Urbino's collection in 1631. Vittoria, a learned and devout woman, was greatly inspired by Titian's image of the Magdalen, even though the Magdalen is very sensuously portrayed in Titian's depiction. The Magdalen is lit up, yet there does not seem to be a source of light within the painting to this to be the case, leading scholars to believe her light comes from within. Vittoria believed from this painting that the Magdalen "is aglow with her burning passion for Christ."

Additionally, the Magdalen's golden hair, fleshy body, and full lips correspond with the Renaissance beauty standards at the time.

Notes[edit | edit source] Jump up ^ Debby, Nirit Ben-Aryeh (2003-01-01). "Vittoria Colonna and Titian's Pitti "Magdalen"". Woman's Art Journal. 24 (1): 29–33. doi:10.2307/1358804. Goffen, Rona. Titian's Women.Yale UP, 1997.