When visiting the MET this past week, I was blown away! I had visited many times when I was younger, as I went to public school here in the city, and the MET was always a popular class trip. Yet I hadn’t been to the museum in so long that I forgot how wonderful the pieces are, and how large of a selection there is! While I did visit the Greek vases and the Egyptian statuaries, pieces we directly discussed in class, I truly enjoyed the section dedicated to British and European paintings. One piece that truly caught my eye was “The Penitent Magdalen” by the artist Georges de La Tour, painted in the 1600s. It intrigued me not only because of the beauty of the painting, but because of how much it resembles “The Lady of Shalott” paintings that we viewed in class from the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, of the late 1800s. The symbolism of both are quite similar, with the presence of mirrors, candles burnt or burning, and the reflection of these candles within the mirrors. In addition to this, Magdalen holding the skull reflects her contemplation of mortality; an issue that the Lady of Shalott had herself, as she realized she must not die in seclusion, and would rather die on her own terms in order to truly experience life. In Tennyson’s poem, his famous line by the Lady of Shalott herself, “I am half sick of shadows” (71) can also be related to “The Penitent Magdalen”. The label of the painting explains that Mary Magdalen was a witness of Christ, one who had been a sinner, a courtesan, who had renounced her life of sin upon meeting Christ. She then decided to dedicate the remainder of her life to contemplation and penance – a means of absolving herself of her sins. In this way, both Magdalen and the Lady of Shalott are tired of living in shadows – whether that is Magdalen’s perceived life of sin, or the Lady’s perceived life of seclusion. Yet, in both moments of these paintings, these woman appear to be experiencing the same seclusion, whether forced or brought upon themselves, as they contemplate their mortality and the significance of their decisions.
“The Penitent Magdalen” by Georges de La Tour, seen in the MET
“Lady Lilith” by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
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I’m not sure how to rotate the first painting in the post, sorry guys! If anyone can let me know how, I’d really appreciate it!
Hi Rachael,
I don’t mean to disturb you but I’m glad someone else posted art to look at. They are wonderful pieces!
Anyway, I like your selection of “Lady of Shalott” theme. After reviewing the materials for the midterm, I have to say the poem is up there as one of the most interesting reads. The plot and scenery of the poem were perfect. But I do find it cruel that someone actually cursed the lady with the inability to look at the townfolks. I apologize but I can’t resist not adding an amusing idea at this point since you got to laugh your way through life. Imagine the Lady of Shalott’s only option to communicate with the outside world as whoever appears in her mirror. So the next time the baker delivers a pizza to her door, she has to ask: mirror, mirror on the wall, what’s that sound at my door?
In regards to your issue rotating it, it’s the middle process during the upload. I forget exactly, but it does work.