Mary Magdalene - Germany - 16th Century

This sculpture depicts Mary Magdalene, made of wood (softwood) and attributed to Germany in the XVIᵉ century. The figure is slender, with a slight wiggle and a gentle posture that accentuates verticality.

She holds a small vase or flask against her, a traditional attribute recalling the perfume with which she is said to have anointed Christ. Her face is tilted upwards, with a recollected, melancholy expression, reinforcing her penitent, contemplative character.

The folds of the sculpture's arms and legs are set in an upright position.

The folds of the garment are finely sculpted, with a rather sober yet elegant rendering, typical of certain late-Renaissance Germanic productions. Long, wavy hair frames the face and falls to the shoulders, contributing to the identification of the figure.

The overall effect is one of elegance.

The overall impression is one of intimate piety and simplicity, rather than grand pageantry, in keeping with the religious sensibility of the period.

Dimensions: 56 × 20 × 9 cm