Beauty is not the point: Donatello's Mary Magdalene

Donatello, Mary Magdalene, c. 1455, wood, 188 cm (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Florence). A conversation with Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris.

[jackdegenhart]

Seeing this in person was such a highlight of my academics. Wood is so much more intimate for the viewer

[mercoledi_falco]

This work of Donatello is just the mediator
between the spiritual and the emotional life.
Thanks for sharing☘️!

[victor]

Beautiful. Knowing Magdalene traditional legends you really get to see this for what it is. A marvel.

[DanDDirges]

Excellent understanding and interpretation of this stunning masterpiece!

[KevenP]

I think her arms are so muscular because she never lets go of praying position.

[MomentsGap]

Wonder if Donatello was inspired by northern gothic wood sculpture which also tended to be more expressive and less ideal
Or maybe these were slightly later than him

[Sasha]

This is immediately striking. I guess I'm not used to the look and feel of wood sculptures. I'm also not used to Mary Magdalene being the decidedly naturalistic subject of them. She's not the idealized painted redhead I'm familiar with so far, she looks like a woman who's been through a lot and paid the price. It feels real to me.

[stevenikitas]

I have been an artist for 50 years and have often said that "art is description". This includes both classical/ancient art and modern art. But "description" need not be beautiful. It must only be meaningful.

[arturocostantino]

I can’t speak for others but I’ve seen women who very closely resemble Donatello’s Mary

[edpark]

Only 300+ likes?? People. There are tragedies in this world, and then there are tragedies.