# St Mary Magdalene [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [ALGARDI, Alessandro]() - Date: 1601-1650 - Technique: Stucco, over life-size ## Commentary Bolognese by birth and early training, Algardi trained initially as a stuccoist and modeller of decorative works, tastes which remained with him through his highly productive career. After his arrival to Rome, friendship with the Bolognese painter Domenichino led to his first independent commission, the stucco figures of St John the Evangelist and St Mary Magdalene. These reveal a remarkably self-assured artistic personality, one that did not alter significantly over the course of his career. Bolognese training is evident in both works, which are reminiscent of Domenichino in drapery style and of Ludovico Carracci in sweetness of expression. Less reserved than Duquesnoy's St Susanna, the Mary Magdalene is more emotionally accessible without any sacrifice of clarity or directness. ## Related artworks - [Athena]() - [Baptism of Christ]() - [Beheading of St Paul]() - [Bust of a member of the Pamphilj family]() - [Bust of a Saint]() - [Bust of a Saint]() - [Bust of a Saint]() - [Bust of a Saint]() - [Bust of a Saint]() - [Bust of Bishop Ulpiano Volpi]() - [Bust of Cardinal Giovanni Garzia Mellini]() - [Bust of Cardinal Paolo Emilio Zacchia]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()