Kneeling Mary of Magdala

Mary of Magdala portrayed in her own struggle after Jesus’ death, has been one of the most portrayed themes by Venanzo Crocetti in several different moments of his long career. This version represents an unicum in the artist’s catalogue since it’s the only model which drifts away from the aesthetic ideal of the classically full form that is typical of the abruzzi artist.
Following the portraying from its lower part, it is possible to distinguish the kneeling legs, the outstretched upper body and the arms extended towards the bottom and her hands clasped in prayer; moving up to the visage of the subject we can see her body almost discard, almost like melting away, so the neck that is bended over seems unable to sustain the weight of the head, on which the messy and shapeless hair hides even more the visage facing down.