Painting analysis:The Penitent Magdalen

painting analysis by cheryl yow





Georges de la Tour’s The Penitent Magdalen
( This painting depicts the theme of Magdalen,
disciple of Christ, prior to her conversion.)

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/d/de_la_tour/penitent.jpg.html

Question:
Examine Georges de la Tour’s The Penitent Magdalen,
Write an account of this painting, paying attention to the
organization of pictorial space and the effects of lighting,
tonal range, colour and brushwork. In writing your essay,
you should consider these formal characteristics of the
painting in creating its expressive quality and the illusion
of depth.





Georges de la Tour’s The Penitent Magdalen is a haunting
painting -it portrays a scene of sensuous femininity,
refined elegance as well as something mysteriously elusive.
The lady seems to be anticipating something that is
invisible, elusive yet alluring. The artist dramatic display
of colour, tone, light, brushwork; the illusion of depth
together with the spatial arrangement stirs your soul,
sets you into a contemplative mood while your thoughts
linger on.



The spatial arrangement is focussed on her. Her form on the
left takes up almost half the space. The angle of vision is
on the left, at an eye elevel lower than hers. She appears
close to the spectator. This nearness creates an intimate
setting. The dark background made her form distinct and she
seems surrounded by a mysterious aura. Her intended graceful
pose appears relaxed and she is looking away from the
spectator into the alluring darkness. The brushwork is
smooth and carefully delineated especially on her face,
hands, the skull and the mirror.



The only light source is directly from the single candle
casting her shadows on the left and draws our immediate
attention towards her smooth, flawless skin. The vanishing
point is above her delicate hands; it directs our focus to
the skull. The air seems still as reflected in the long,
glowing candle flame. The earthy and rustic colour sets a
warm, intimate atmosphere with a sensuous feel to it.



The tonal range is wide, creating the depth, dramatic effect
and textural quality. The sharp light-dark contrast made her
refined features stand out. These dark shadings give the
illusion of depth and conveys a mysterious quality, a sense
of the unknown. The wide tonal range creates a nice display
of textures, from the smoothness of her hair and skin with
the slightly rougher brown walls, the creases of the right
sleeves, the intricate mirror frame, the pearls and the
woven basket.


The striking contrast between life and death
can be clearly seen by her bulging stomach next to the skull;
the light of life and the unknown darkness; the pearls and
the discarded jewellery that has exhausted its value. She is
surrounded by the ordinary, the simple as well as the
exquisite. This is reflected in the simple rustic,
earthy brown, the ordinary woven basket peeping from behind
the exquisite bronze mirror.


This engaging, haunting painting
with its dramatic effects in clever display of contrasts does
question our philosophical values, our spirituality as in how
well we embrace life and death.

(400 words)