Mary Magdalene, a Flame and a Skull by Georges de la Tour
Mary Magdalene, sitting in the dark with only a flame to lighten the darkness that surrounds her, sits holding a skull and contemplating life. The job of a saint is to teach, and the job of the artist is to communicate through images and symbols.
This image has many symbols, through with the character of Mary Magdalene teaches the Christian values. A skull, symbol of death, is a way to contemplate mortality. The rope, a reminder of penance. The flame, a guiding light in the darkness, a symbol of enlightenment. The cross, the sacrifice of the Christ. The books, wisdom. This image of Mary Magdalene is interpreted as Georges de La Tour's depiction of her conversion from sin to a life of sorrow and contemplation. Georges de La Tour's paintings of the Magdalene are interpreted to be a reminder that conversion is a quiet process that involves confronting one's ego, vanities, and sins.
But if we look at the body of Mary Magdalene in this painting, she is pregnant. In this light, the Magdalene, and the artist, may be teaching a different lesson. A continuation of life beyond death through motherhood. The ties of family. The lessons that must be passed on through wisdom. Giving birth is called metaphorically in Spanish “bringing to light”. A baby is brought to the light when born. The Cross, horizontal, conquered? Darkness conquered, life brought into the light.
A viewer may see something different, and compose a different interpretation of the same image. Mary Magdalene proposes the perfect invitation to bring our own personal vision to a painting. The artist, once the piece is completed, is no longer involved. It’s our turn. It’s time for us to complete the image, with our communal wisdom, and our thoughts, feelings and, why not, personal colored glasses.
We start where we are and grow from there toward the light.
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