Savoldo's Portrayal Of Mary Magdalene

Savoldo’s portrayal of Mary Magdalene is one that leaves the audience to interpret for themselves what they feel when looking into the eyes of Magdalene and what they think her story is. The portrait by Savoldo uses illuminating colors, silk fabrics, and vulnerable positioning to create a profound sense of mystery and intimacy between Mary Magdalene and the audience. Savoldo making the fabrics that Magdalene is wearing have a silk texture creates an assumption for the audience that she was a very wealthy person at the time. Having her sleeves elongated and covering her hands creates a sense of helplessness and mercifulness for Magdalene, which is true when put into the context of her being at the mercy of Jesus at the time. The amount that Magdalene’s body is covered and the almost shell like silhouette that is made, helps represent a sense of protectiveness to her being. The way that she is wearing the silk clothing is very influential towards the tone of the image because it depicts a sense of loneliness and remorse. This denotes her sadness of Christ’s
Her head being tilted to the side gives the audience an impression of uncertainty and unfamiliarity towards the figure she is looking at. This is also makes the painting much more dynamic because it’s like she’s been caught in motion during an act instead of being perceived as a static figure. The way that Magdalene is looking at you also helps convey unfamiliarity with who she is looking at, which helps Savoldo’s intentions of Jesus being in front of her and the one she is unfamiliar with. The head being tilted also gives personality to Magdalene and expresses a great deal of the tone that is intended by Savoldo. Without it the painting would be much more ambiguous than it already is, and very hard for someone to comprehend as to what her mood