Catholic Art

An Italian art restorer has identified what she believes to be a depiction of Mary Magdalene in Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement fresco, located in the Sistine Chapel.

Sara Penco, a specialist in Renaissance and Baroque art, presented her findings at a press conference in Rome, asserting that the figure can be seen in the far-right corner of the fresco, kissing a wooden cross.

“I am firmly convinced that this is Mary Magdalene,” Penco said, citing her yellow attire, blonde hair and the figure’s placement as key clues. “The intimacy with the cross and the whole context in which Michelangelo places this figure underscore her importance,” she said, as reported by The Telegraph.

The depiction has sparked renewed interest among scholars.

According to Penco, Michelangelo’s profound knowledge of biblical texts and Church dynamics made it unlikely he would omit such a significant figure. She explained “the fresco was screaming that something was missing,” referring to her belief that Mary Magdalene’s inclusion completes the work’s theological narrative.

The figure’s proximity to a muscular, near-naked man carrying the cross has also drawn discussion. While traditionally identified as Simon of Cyrene, Penco proposes this figure represents Christ as Redeemer. She claims “the cross-bearer is looking in the direction of Mary Magdalene, estranged from the composition, as if directing attention to her.”

Mary Magdalene has long been venerated in Catholic tradition for her role as a witness to Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Michelangelo completed The Last Judgement between 1537 and 1541. It features over 300 figures in a dramatic representation of the Apocalypse, attracting millions of pilgrims annually to the Sistine Chapel.