Scuola emiliana (XVII-XVIII) - Maddalena penitente

Ancient painting, oil on canvas, dated to the late 17th century to the first half of the 18th century, depicting Penitent Magdalene.

Elegant depiction of the Penitent Magdalene, caught in a moment of intense spiritual elevation, with the head inclined backward, the gaze raised to the sky and hands gathered.
The painting stands out for its refined pictorial quality and notable expressive intensity, expressed through the soft modeling of the flesh tones, the delicate construction of the features and the luminosity of the eyes. The face, of particular sensitivity, emerges from the deep green background thanks to a calibrated play of light and shadow, while the golden hair and the pinkish and purplish tones of the drapery contribute to the color balance of the composition.
Of particular interest is the construction of the figure, organized according to a diagonal movement that accompanies the tilt of the head and contrasts with the horizontal arrangement of the arms. The wide folds of the garment, rendered through soft tonal transitions, reveal a sensitivity attentive to the plasticity of volumes and the naturalness of the fabrics.
The work is set within the tradition of the Emilia figurative school and, in particular, of the Bologna classicist culture developed between the late 17th century and the first decades of the following century. It shows impressions typical of that milieu, in the composure of the figure, in the sensitivity to the psychological rendering of the subject and in the softness of the modeling, with references to the painting language of the circle of Carlo Cignani and the Emilia painters close to him.
The composition thus reveals a significant consonance with the language of the Bolognese school, in which the Renian heritage is reinterpreted through a softer and more sentimental sensibility, attentive to the rendering of affections and to the refined chromatic harmony.

The painting is generally in fairly good condition for its age, with a homogeneous and fully legible surface. A few small scattered points of restore have been noted, in addition to overpaintings and craquelure of the painting surface, overall of modest extent and not compromising the legibility of the depiction. The craquelure is homogeneous and attributable to the period, with no signs of active detachment. No conservation problems are evident. The original canvas has a good-condition lining that ensures proper support and tension. On the back are visible some recent repairs. The wooden frame seems to have been replaced at the time of the lining. Overall the work is structurally solid, aesthetically pleasing and well preserved, while retaining the physiological marks of time that attest to its authenticity and conservation history.

The painting is accompanied by a beautiful frame of classical taste but relatively recent. Defects, losses and signs of time are noted, in addition to restorations and integrations. The frame is included as a courtesy and is not part of the artwork; any damages to it will not be grounds for complaint or order cancellation.

Dimensions of the painting: 65 x 51 cm - Frame dimensions: 81 x 67 cm

Work accompanied by a photographic certificate of authenticity, as required by current law.

Shipped with insured express courier and packing performed with the utmost care.