Antwerp School, 17th Century

Artist: Antwerp School, 17th Century.
Title: The Magdalen Reading, Surrounded by Garland of Flowers.
Medium: Oil on copper.
Framed Size: Height 48 cm x Width 41 cm x Depth 3 cm.
Image Size: Height 22.4 cm x Width 17 cm.
Condition: Some small scratches and paint losses, small hole for hanging at top centre. Remnants of floral ornaments in gold paint in the corners. The work is in stable condition and presents very well. Please note; that this piece is the remnants of a 17th-century painting that has not been restored but rather conserved and as a result retains losses to the original condition, notably the surrounding cartouche of flowers. The work is conservationally framed and glazed with anti-reflective UV-resistant Museum Glass.
Provenance: Private Collection Brussels.

About: The Magdalen was said to have lived the last 30 years of her life as a hermit in Sainte-Baume and is often portrayed with a book, reading or writing, symbolising her later years of contemplation and repentance. This is a version of depictions known as the 'Penitent Magdalens’ and is complementary to the portrayals of a similar subject by Jan Brueghel the Younger (Flemish, 1601–1678).