PhD Program in Historical studies
Pedro de Mena’s “Magdalena”
María Bolaños Atienza, Director of the Director of the National Sculpture Museum, shows us one of the most important works preserved in the permanent exhibition at the Museum.
The Magdalena is one of the great works of the Andalusian sculptor Pedro de MenaPedro de Mena y Medrano (1628-1668) was one of the leading exponents of Spanish Baroque sculpture. Born in Granada, he devoted himself primarily to religious works, working mainly in the city of Málaga, where he died. In the Museo Nacional de Escultura of Valladolid his famous Mary Magdalene Penitent is preserved. Noteworthy are also his Ecce homo, Dolorosas and the image of Saint Francis of Assisi preserved in the Cathedral of Toledo.. Made upon commission by the Jesuits in Madrid for their motherhouse, it is centered on the theme of repentance and penance, very dear to Iberian religiosity. Mary Magdalene is a figure which is ideally halfway between the Virgin, a symbol of absolute goodness, and Eve, the temptress. It is on the other side of a recurring character in Spanish art, a theme also portrayed by great artists such as Ribera. The sculptural work of Pedro de Mena expresses a very intense feeling of mystical identification with Jesus through meditation on a crucifix. It is a true icon of the museum and Spanish Baroque sculpture.