Mary Magdalene the penitent prostitute.She is clothed in her own hair, with ruff, sharp facial features giving the appearance of living out her life (post Christ) in a manner of self neglect and repentance for the sins which she had committed. This is how Donatello depicts Mary Magdalene. He depicts her as the essence of self denial.
At first glance I can't lie, I thought this was a sculpture of the mythical Medusa. However, when I found out that this was actually a sculpture of Mary Magdalene and the psychological reasons for which Donatello had sculpted this piece I was amazed! What a twist.
This sculpture portrays a woman who is so mortified for the offences in which she has committed against God that she is showing her love of God through her self mortification in an attempt to redeem herself for her past life style. In my opinion I do not think this piece represents hopelessness, I think Mary Magdalene represents hope. I think she looks content living her life this way in order to please God whom she loves so much.
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