The painting “Penitent Magdalene and Two Angels”, attributed to the circle of Bartolomeo Schedoni, belongs to the context of Emilian painting between the late sixteenth century and the first decades of the seventeenth century, a period marked by strong attention to the rendering of emotions and the intimate dimension of sacred subjects. Schedoni, active between Modena and Parma, was an artist close to the culture of the Carracci and the Correggesque tradition, distinguishing himself through a language characterized by luminous softness, emotional intensity, and a strong theatrical sense.
In this work, the figure of the Magdalene is depicted in a composed and penitential attitude, with her gaze turned upward and her hands held in a gesture of meditation. However, the scene does not assume an excessively dramatic tone. On the contrary, it favours a restrained spirituality, rendered through the silent relationship between the saint and the two angels accompanying her.
Furthermore, the composition focuses attention on the principal figure, emerging from a dark and enveloping background. The soft light, distributed across the face, hands, and garments, contributes to creating an intense yet measured devotional atmosphere. The presence of the angels also introduces an element of consolation and reinforces the religious meaning of the image.
At the same time, the reference to the circle of Bartolomeo Schedoni allows the work to be understood within a figurative culture attentive to the tenderness of emotions and the natural rendering of sacred feelings. Overall, “Penitent Magdalene and Two Angels” represents a significant example of Emilian devotional painting, in which intimacy, light, and emotional participation coexist in balance.
Description: Oil on canvas laid on cardboard, H cm 48×39.5 – with frame H cm 65.5×56.5.
Hammer Price: € 2.500,00
Auction 88 – November 13th 2025 – A Tuscan Residence
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