Mary Magdalene Spanish, Granada School, second half 17th century

Now in the National Museum of Valadolid, the original carved wood figure of Mary Magdalen by Pedro da Mena, slightly less than life size is inscribed and dated Malaga 1664. It was one of the most popular images of its time and many copies and versions were inspired by it both contemporaneously and later. The present carving shows much of the restrained anguish and virtuosity in the carving of the hair and expression, although this is somewhat obscured by later overpainting and gilding. Pedro da Mena's father Alonso had the most important workshop in Granada in the first half of the 17th century. He was joined there by Alonzo Cano and thus Pedro da Mena became Cano's pupil and was much influenced by his work. See also the St. John the Baptist by Cano in Barcelona, illustrated by Gomez Moreno.

RELATED LITERATURE
M. Gomez Moreno, The Spanish Sculpture, London, 1963, pl. 61, 63, 69 and 70.