Penitent Magdalene with Angels in a Landscape [recto] 

This delicate pen and brown ink drawing of the Penitent Magdalene with Angels in a Landscape was created by Donato Creti in the late 17th or early 18th century. Creti, an Italian painter of the Bolognese School, situates Mary Magdalene, a figure often reduced to her former life as a prostitute, in a moment of deep reflection and repentance. Here, the Magdalene isn’t just a symbol of sin and redemption but is rendered as an individual grappling with her past, seeking solace in faith. The angels above may represent divine comfort, but they also highlight the deeply personal struggle between the earthly and the divine. Consider the gaze that has historically framed women's stories. Creti, through his art, invites us to contemplate the Magdalene’s emotional landscape. The landscape is a reminder of our own humanity. It is a space where we, like the Magdalene, confront our own imperfections and search for meaning.