The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalen 1655

Luca Giordano painted "The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalen" during the Baroque period, an era known for its dramatic and emotional intensity. During this time, the Catholic Church was keen to promote passionate, personal experiences of faith. Here, Mary Magdalen embodies a complex intersection of repentance and feminine spirituality. Once a figure of earthly pleasure, she is depicted in a state of divine rapture, surrounded by cherubic figures, her gaze lifted towards the heavens. Note the skull being presented to her, a reminder of her mortality and past life. Giordano’s Magdalen isn’t just a religious icon; she's a figure through which Baroque society grappled with ideas about sin, redemption, and the spiritual potential of women. Giordano’s dramatic composition invites viewers to witness this intimate, transformative moment, encouraging us to reflect on our own journeys of change.