Large Biblical Canvas 17th Century...the Conversion Of Mary Magdalene

Large & remarkable biblical painting from the 17th century which represents the moment when Mary Magdalene renounces her riches and her jewels, in order to devote herself to the heavenly love of Christ: this moment is designated in the Catholic religion as being "the Conversion of Mary Magdalene"... This painting does not seem signed and has never been examined by an expert, but its beautiful quality suggests the work of an excellent artist: one is tempted to think of an Italian Baroque painter from the end of the Renaissance, but there are French Caravaggesque painters and even Flemish artists who worked in this style / notice to research enthusiasts... note: one of the attractions of this painting is the rarity of the representation of Mary Magdalene who is shown here with her riches: indeed, artists have more often represented her as "repentant" alone and isolated in a cave, sometimes even in the presence of a skull, as if to better symbolize the fragility of earthly life and these material goods... - Mary Magdalene is a biblical Saint as mysterious as she is enigmatic since she is reported in the entourage of Christ, before and after his crucifixion: some theologians first presented her as a woman of "bad life" converted to Christianity, but others designate her as a very rich woman who will support the actions of Christ and will be part with the apostles of his very first disciples... - note that this painting has been the subject of a lightening of the old varnish, which explains its beautiful luminosity... the examination with a Wood lamp shows some old repaintings, here and there, without consequences on the quality of the work - Canvas size: 98 cm x 71 cm - ask me for other pictures if necessary -