The Magdalene
by Artemisia Gentileschi

The daughter of the excellent painter Orazio Gentileschi, Artemisia was taught by her father from an early age. Her dramatic biography probably influenced her artistic choices, which included many tormented female figures from sacred history. Magdalene is depicted here dressed elegantly in yellow silk, at the moment of her conversion. Her eyes are turned to the sky, her hand on her breast, her hair disheveled, she turns away from herself in the mirror, a symbol of vanity, on which we read “Optimam partem elegit”, renouncing worldliness to give herself to the Lord.

Artemisia Gentileschi | The Conversion of Magdalene | 1615 - 1616 | oil on canvas 146.5 x 108 cm | Palatine Gallery of Palazzo Pitti | Florence (Italy)