Lot 13: Peter Wtewael Utrecht 1596 - 1660 , The penitent Mary Magdalene oil on panel

oil on panel

measurements note 50.5 by 37.5 cm.

J.L. Slatkes, 'Dutch Mannerism' , in The Art Quarterly, 33, 1970, p. 428;
A.W. Lowenthal, 'Some paintings by Peter Wtewael (1596-1660)', in The Burlington Magazine, 116, 1974, p. 465, reproduced fig. 72;
A.W. Lowenthal, Joachim Wtewael and Dutch Mannerism, Doornspijk 1986, p. 176, cat. no. D4, plate 164.

Berden, Roermond, circa 1957;
Van Roosmalen-Hermans, Maasbracht, by 1964;
Private collection, Amsterdam.

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
The attribution to Peter Wtewael was first suggested by Slatkes in 1970.υ1 According to Lowenthal, Wtewael uses in this work his favourite colour combination of blue-green (the gown) and crimson (the cheeks, lips and ribbon), and it shows some of his well known characteristics, such as the heavy hands, with wide spread fingers and a single bear breast, with white-edged drapery around the curve to emphasize the form. There is a sense of quietness about this work, suggesting that it might have been intended as a private devotional image.υ2 1.See Slatkes under Literature.
2.See Lowenthal 1974 under Literature, p. 465.