Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" may secretly depict Mary Magdalene, according to Sara Penco, an Italian art restorer who claims the figure was hiding in plain sight for nearly 500 years.
A blonde woman kissing a cross in the fresco has been identified by Penco as Mary Magdalene. This character's proximity to the cross and her placement in the painting support the claim.
Mary Magdalene, one of Christ’s most important disciples, was present at his crucifixion and resurrection. Her role in the gospel narrative is seen as vital, making her inclusion in the artwork significant.
Penco argues that Michelangelo, a master of Biblical knowledge and church dynamics, would not have omitted such a crucial figure from "The Last Judgment."
The theory is backed by Professor Yvonne Dohna Schlobitten of Gregorian University, who wrote in the book’s foreword that iconography and theology in the fresco highlight Magdalene’s key yet hidden role.
Credit: gregorianfoundation.org
The woman’s yellow dress, blonde hair, and serene expression while holding the cross drew Penco’s attention. Michelangelo’s deliberate composition underscores her significance.
Magdalene has historically been misrepresented as a repentant sinner and prostitute. This identification in Michelangelo’s work may reshape her perception as a pivotal gospel figure.
Michelangelo’s masterpieces often contain hidden messages. Recent studies suggest he even portrayed a woman battling breast cancer in another Sistine Chapel fresco.
If Penco’s assertion is accurate, it closes a centuries-old puzzle regarding Magdalene's absence in the famed fresco, providing new insights into Michelangelo’s artistry.