Oil Painting: The Penitent Mary Magdalene with Crown of Thorns (Ca. 1850) Description An atmospheric and devotional oil painting on canvas, most likely depicting The Penitent Mary Magdalene. The work is executed in the style of Romanticism or early Neoclassicism from the mid-19th century, with a strong emphasis on melancholy, emotion, and spirituality. The Magdalene is shown with long, flowing copper-brown hair, her gaze cast humbly downwards in deep contemplation and penitence. She wears loose, austere clothing that subtly exposes her shoulder, a classic iconographic reference to her conversion and rejection of vanity. Her right elbow rests on a stack of books, symbols of wisdom and Scriptural reading. In her hands, she holds a Crown of Thorns, a powerful arma Christi (weapon of Christ) that emphasizes her intense meditation on Christ's Passion and her devotion. The background is dark and somber, with a glimpse of a pink-blue sky that dramatically illuminates the scene, evoking a feeling of sacred silence and isolation. Key Features Title/Subject: The Penitent Mary Magdalene with the Crown of Thorns. Medium: Oil on canvas. Period: Mid-19th Century (approx. 1830-1870). Frame: The painting is presented in an attractive, ornate and gilded frame from the same period or slightly later, giving the entire piece an authentic, monumental appearance. Provenance and Signature Signature: Examination has revealed traces of a previously present signature or inscription in the lower left corner. However, due to age this inscription is difficult or impossible to decipher. The work is therefore offered as Anonymous. Condition Note The painting is in good, antique condition, consistent with its estimated age. Dimensions Canvas (H x W): 47.1 cm x 37 cm Framed (H x W): 59.5 cm x 49 cm