The Magdalen 1827 - 1833

Anne Hall, an American miniaturist working in the 19th century, painted this watercolor on ivory titled *The Magdalen*. Hall was one of the few women of her time to find success as a professional artist, at a time when women often had limited access to formal training or exhibition opportunities. In this context, *The Magdalen* complicates the stereotypical depictions of women as either madonnas or whores. The painting portrays Mary Magdalene, a biblical figure traditionally associated with repentance and sexuality. Hall avoids the trap of depicting her subject as overtly sexual or saintly; instead, we see a woman looking upwards, seemingly lost in thought. She is neither overtly sexualized nor idealized as purely innocent. It’s as if Hall sought to capture a more nuanced, human side of Mary Magdalene, one that goes beyond the simplistic labels often imposed on women. The painting quietly challenges the viewer to reconsider how women, both historically and in art, are perceived and defined.