As a student in London in the 1980’s, visiting the museums was de rigeur. I loved the Italian masters especially Botticelli , Titian and Canaletto. And of course there was Rembrandt and those portraits with incredible lace collars. Caravaggio was often mentioned but I can’t say that I was impressed. But that’s youth for you and ignorance too, no doubt.
This evening at a special preview of Magdalene in Ecstasy, at KNMA Saket, one got up as close as the sensor lights and protective museum glass would allow. The seventeenth century painting is old, it’s been restored and there’s little the ordinary eye can discern with regard to its brushwork. Some facets of the painting are almost obscured by age The cross and the skull balance the painting compositionally, but we can just about discern the momento mori and crown of thorns.Nonetheless it’s a mysterious work of art that requires some deep looking and reading up on the historical perspective.
Is Magdalene pregnant or is she carrying a mendicants pouch. After witnessing Christ’s crucifixion, she is said to have wandered around like one, living off crumbs that came her way. Caravaggio is known for his portrayal of Biblical characters where he creates a dramatic play of chiaroscuro using contrast of light and shadow. Among all his works, in ‘Magdalene’ chiaroscuro is present even more and well defined. Its presence the fruit of observations of light that he was the first to study this way and pave the way for modern painting.
At a first glance, the painting struck me as odd. Why would a master give Magdalena such a big ear. And what’s she holding onto. Some say she’s pregnant, but was she? One could even say, that Caravaggio hasn’t studied pregnant women for there’s something off about the way the baby bump appears. But, as you begin reading the text it seems that he has deliberately chosen this type of visual which raises questions and doubts about her pregnancy.
Believed to have been created during a rough time in the artists life where, in embroiled in an accidental murder, he was forced into hiding and has possibly transformed his own personal anguish into this timeless moment of Magdalene’s ecstasy, making it humane state of transcendence.
Her ear is enlarged for its tuned into by angels who will transport her to heaven “to hear the delightful harmonies of celestial choirs” and, it’s also been conjectured that Mary Magdalene ascended to heaven at childbirth.
Lost to history until its rediscovery in 2014, we are really privileged to view and discuss this in Delhi today. A first hand viewing “of an artist who broke barriers between art and life, high and low culture and brought saints to life in the reflection of the commoner on the street”
It’s on for a month. Do go and see it. A rare opportunity for all of us.
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