Mary Magdalene

Originally a prostitute, Mary Magdalene was converted by Christ's teachings. She was known to have anointed Christ's body with unguents, and dried his feet with her own hair. She also stayed close by Christ during the Crucifixion. Mary Magdalene was a particularly popular painting theme during the Baroque period. Champaigne depicted the same theme in two other works, one dated 1648 and the other 1657. This work from Champaigne's last years shows the figure of Mary Magdalene in complete profile, with her mouth partially open in prayer as she turns in devoted reverence towards Heaven. The strong sense of the Magdalene's form, which seems to float in relief above the dark surface of Champaigne's typically strict and moderately formed composition, shows the appropriateness of this work by a French court painter working under the strict spirituality of Jansenism. In addition to the Magdalene's symbol, the unguent pot, a Bible and cross are placed in the right foreground, and a particularly realistic landscape is shown in the right background. This work is thought to have been in the collection of Colbert, councilor to Louis XIV. (Source: Masterpieces of the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo, 2009, cat. no.43)