The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalen 1655

Luca Giordano's "The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalen" (1655) depicts the titular saint in a state of religious fervor. Surrounded by cherubs and a skull, Mary Magdalen's upward gaze and outstretched hands represent her ecstatic communion with the divine. Giordano's dramatic use of light and shadow creates a sense of intense emotion, while the cherubs and skull symbolize the saint's transition from a life of sin to one of spiritual devotion. The artwork exemplifies Baroque artistic conventions, emphasizing theatricality and emotional intensity through its composition and expressive figures.