Madeleine au désert, Herminie Déhérain, 1836

The artist illustrates here the penance of mary magdalene in the cave of sainte-baume, renouncing all the vanities of the world and meditating in solitude. At his feet is a skull, a symbol of meditation, and on the rock, to the left of the composition, a vase of perfume and jewelry recall his past life. Exalted by prayer, she is highlighted by a divine light falling directly on her. Object Type: painting. Genre: religious art. Date: 1836. Dimensions: height: 183.8 cm (72.3 in) ; width: 130.2 cm (51.2 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Depicted People: Mary Magdalene. Collection: Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Cholet. Herminie Déhérain - Madeleine au désert