Italian school; XVIII century.

Italian school; XVIII century.
"Magdalene in the skin of the Cross".
Bronze.
Measurements: 39 x 11 x 16 cm.
This bronze sculpture of the penitent Magdalene, belonging to the Italian school of the 18th century, stands out for its expressiveness and refined technical execution. The figure is presented with a dynamic posture, slightly leaning forward, with her hands crossed on her chest in a gesture of deep recollection. Her face, with an elevated gaze and delicately modeled features, transmits an intense emotion of supplication and devotion.
It is highly probable that this piece was part of a larger sculptural ensemble, possibly a Calvary, accompanying the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist in the scene of the Crucifixion. The iconography of the penitent Mary Magdalene, represented with a long and richly draped tunic, alludes to her repentance and spiritual surrender, fundamental elements in the Christian tradition and recurrent in Baroque sculpture.
The technical quality of the work is remarkable in the meticulous elaboration of the cloth, with folds that provide a sense of movement and drama. The treatment of the bronze, with its golden patina, accentuates the play of light and shadow on the surface, emphasizing the anatomical details and the texture of the clothing. This sculpture is a testimony to the virtuosity of the Italian workshops of the 18th century, where a profound anatomical knowledge was combined with an artistic sensibility oriented towards emotional expression and spirituality.