The Kimbell Art Museum announced on Friday that it has acquired a long-lost 17th-century painting depicting the Christian saint Mary Magdalene. For perhaps the first time since its creation, the work will be on public view, starting today in .
The painting, called Penitent Mary Magdalene, was made by Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi around 1625. It was acquired by a Spanish nobleman in Rome who later displayed it in his Seville residence, where, according to 17th-century sources, it became famous and was widely copied, the museum said in a news release. It later disappeared from the public record before resurfacing at an auction in France in 2001.
鈥淭he Kimbell has long wished to acquire a work by Artemisia Gentileschi but until now never found the right painting for its collection by this major figure of Italian Baroque art,鈥� Eric Lee, the museum鈥檚 director, said in a statement.
In a phone interview, Lee declined to disclose the price the museum paid, noting that 鈥減eople then start looking at the painting in terms of dollars,鈥� as opposed to focusing on the art.
The painting shows Mary Magdalene sitting in a wooden chair, with her eyes mostly closed and her head resting on her right hand, appearing to be deep in thought.
鈥淵ou feel the weight of what is going through the Magdalene mind,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 aware of her former life of luxury and is now going to devote herself to spirituality.鈥�
Scholars disagree on whether Mary Magdalene was wealthy, but she did become a follower of Jesus and may have provided him with financial support.
Before the discovery of this painting, a copy on display in Spain鈥檚 Seville Cathedral was thought to be the original.
Peter Van de Moortel, the Kimbell鈥檚 chief conservator, said he researched Gentileschi鈥檚 painting technique to confirm the painting鈥檚 authenticity and distinguish it from the several existing replicas.
鈥淚t鈥檚 basically a game of telephone,鈥� Van de Moortel said. 鈥淓very time someone makes a copy, then a copy of a copy 鈥� it loses some of the details.鈥�
The painting had dirt on it that needed to be cleaned off, but it otherwise arrived in good condition, he said. 鈥淭he Mary Magdalene has benefited from benign neglect.鈥�
Penitent Mary Magdalene joins the Kimbell鈥檚 collection of Italian baroque art, which includes Guercino鈥檚 Christ and the Woman of Samaria and Caravaggio鈥檚 The Cardsharps.
Adam Jasienski, an associate professor of art history at Southern Methodist University, called Gentileschi 鈥渙ne of the most important figures in renaissance and baroque painting.鈥�
鈥淪he鈥檚 a virtuoso,鈥� he continued. 鈥淪he creates these dramatic, lush scenes. Oftentimes, they represent powerful women.鈥�
Although Gentileschi was famous during her lifetime, she faded into obscurity after her death, Lee said. Recent scholarly literature, though, has cemented her as a 鈥渇eminist heroine,鈥� he added, particularly in light of her difficult personal history.
At the age of 17, Gentileschi was raped by the painter Agostino Tassi, a colleague of her father鈥檚. During a trial against Tassi, who was ultimately convicted, Gentileschi had cords tightened around her fingers to ensure she was telling the truth.
鈥淭he trial itself was absolutely harrowing. She was tortured for her testimonies,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淪he showed so much strength throughout her life.鈥�
Her biography may offer another perspective on the Magdalene painting.
鈥淵ou can also see it as a self-portrait almost,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 contemplating the struggles that she has lived through.鈥�
The Kimbell Art Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays; noon-8 p.m. Fridays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit .
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