Mary Magdalene in the Light of Georges de La Tour
The French artist Georges de La Tour painted at least five portraits of Mary Magdalene, a sizable number considering there are only 35 known paintings in his oeuvre. Since the Gothic period, Mary Magdalene has captured the imaginations of artists, and it’s no wonder why.
In the gospels, Luke introduces her as “the woman who was healed of seven demons” (Luke 8:2). At one point, she interrupts a dinner where Jesus is present, weeps at his feet, and anoints them with oil. Jesus responds to her gesture by telling the other guests, “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:36-50) After this, Mary Magdalen follows Jesus, even to the Cross, and anoints him for burial. She is the first to see Jesus after the Resurrection and is sent to report his Rising to the…
