Scuola mitteleuropea (XIX) - Maria Maddalena

The grieving Maria Maddalena, oil on canvas 48 x 39.5 cm, signed bottom right (G. Demeteky?) by an artist from the Central European area, dated 1854.

The subject is painted with a painterly and chromatic style that recalls similar XVIIth-century depictions: the dark background to render the contrast with the flesh tones placed in full light and thus emphasize the psychological aspect, and the emotional rendering heightened by the abundant tears on the eyes and on the saint’s face.

General conditions are good; a relatively recent restoration is evident, with some repainting on the background, on the hair, and to a minor extent at the margins of the face, which nevertheless remains in its original composition. The original canvas shows a lining surely made at the time of the painting restoration; the frame also appears to have been replaced at the same time and bears on the lower edge an inscription (referable to Hungarian) with the name of a previous owner of the work.

In a curious, later-period frame (68.5 x 59 x 5 cm), a wooden structure with raised leather (or similar) applications in relief: it does not affect the evaluation of the work and should be considered included as a courtesy. Given its function and the very nature of the materials that compose it, any damage during shipping cannot be ruled out and will not be a valid reason for a claim or order cancellation.

However, maximum care in packing is guaranteed.

The photographs are part of the description.

Tracked shipping; higher costs and shipping times cannot be ruled out, due to export procedures and/or locations not normally reached by shipping services (especially outside the EU): in such cases I will obtain personalized quotes based on the destination ZIP code and it will be my duty to inform the buyer of any notable variations from the base cost indicated.