Mary Magdalene 1854

"Mary Magdalene" is an 1854 oil painting by Lawrence Alma-Tadema, depicting a woman in profile, her eyes closed. The subject’s dark hair is pulled back in a braid, and she wears a necklace of bright beads, and a single earring. This work was created early in the artist’s career, before he became known for his meticulously detailed paintings of classical antiquity. The painting's intimate and contemplative nature reflects the artist's exploration of the human form. The use of chiaroscuro, with contrasting light and dark areas, emphasizes the subject's features and adds depth to the composition.