Bidspirit auction | Mary Magdalene. Spanish School. 18th

Mary Magdalene. Spanish School. 18th Century - Oil on canvas. The scene shows Mary Magdalene, a central figure in Christian iconography, depicted in a moment of introspection and devotion. She holds aloft a flaming heart, a symbol of ardent faith and penitence, while her other hand rests on an open book, alluding to sacred knowledge and spiritual meditation. The treatment of her face conveys a mixture of melancholy and fervor, with a deep gaze that reinforces the emotional intensity of the composition. The brushwork is loose but controlled, achieving effects of volume and drama thanks to the interplay of light and shadow, which focus attention on the symbolic elements. The chromatic austerity and dark atmosphere evoke the late Baroque and underline the spiritual and penitent character of the scene. The work is part of the Spanish devotional tradition, associated with the ideals of the Counter-Reformation, in which the figure of Mary Magdalene takes on a role as a model of redemption. Dimensions: 97 x 73 cm