The Penitent Mary Magdalene (1576-1577). El Greco [Doménikos Theotokópoulos] (Greek, 1541-1614). Oil

The Penitent Mary Magdalene (1576-1577). El Greco [Doménikos Theotokópoulos] (Greek, 1541-1614). Oil on canvas. Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest.Greco condensed Mary Magdalene’s story into the single moment of ecstasy: the moment when she, meditating in the wilderness on death and immortality, converts. Here the blinding beam of light seems to purify her, almost uplifting her from the bonds of corporeality. The skull, which refers to earthly mortality, has rolled out of her hand on to the sacred text, and behind her ivy, symbol of eternal life, stretches heavenwards. -- source link

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