A Study for the Magdalene 16th-17th century

Editor: Here we have Cesare Gennari's "A Study for the Magdalene," a delicate drawing held at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels raw, very emotional, and the figure seems to be in turmoil. What do you see in this portrayal of Mary Magdalene? Curator: The image reflects the cultural obsession with female penitence, a narrative used to control women's bodies and sexuality. How does Gennari's choice of medium, the seeming fragility of charcoal, reinforce or challenge that established power dynamic? Editor: I suppose the sketch-like quality could emphasize vulnerability, but maybe also an unfinished, ongoing struggle? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to consider the Magdalene not as a static symbol of repentance, but as a figure engaged in a continuous process of self-definition against patriarchal constraints. Editor: That reframes my entire understanding of the piece. Thanks! Curator: And thank you for pointing out that ongoing struggle. It highlights the complexities embedded within these historical representations.