A painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, long thought to be a work from her studio rather than by her own hand, has been unveiled to the public for the first time since the 17th century. The artwork, now on display at The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, was recently acquired after years in a private collection.
Gentileschi, a prominent Italian artist born in Rome and a follower of Caravaggio, was introduced to painting by her father, who was also a court painter. Despite the rarity of female apprenticeships in the art world during her time, Gentileschi rose to fame for her dramatic multi-figure compositions, often featuring powerful women and showcasing her expert manipulation of light and shadow.
The painting, titled Penitent Mary Magdalene and dated circa 1625-1626, portrays the moment Mary Magdalene decides to forsake her luxurious life to follow Christ. Completed while Gentileschi was living in Florence with her husband, a lesser-known painter, the piece measures three-and-a-half by three feet and was originally commissioned by Fernando Enríquez Afán de Ribera, the third Duke of Alcalá and Viceroy of Naples, during his tenure as the Spanish ambassador in Rome.
Initially displayed at Ribera’s residence, Casa de Pilatos in Seville, the painting disappeared from public records after being inherited by Ribera’s descendants. Despite its absence, the work’s legacy continued, with several copies created during this period. Notable replicas include one housed in the Cathedral of Seville and another at the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City.
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