The Ascension of the Magdalene c. 17th century

Editor: This is Guercino’s drawing, The Ascension of the Magdalene, housed here at Harvard. It's quite small, done in red chalk, and feels so full of movement. What strikes you most about this image? Curator: I see a powerful depiction of female spiritual ecstasy, but it's important to ask: how does Guercino's portrayal contribute to, or challenge, the patriarchal interpretations of Mary Magdalene that historically cast her as either repentant sinner or the devoted follower? Editor: That's interesting. So, it's not just about religious devotion? Curator: Not entirely. It prompts us to consider the agency, or lack thereof, afforded to female figures within religious narratives and broader societal structures of the time. It's about power, representation, and the complexities of identity. Editor: I never thought about it that way, seeing it through that historical lens really changes things. Curator: Absolutely. It’s about engaging with art as a reflection of its time and our own.