An extraordinary painting by Artemisia Gentileschi has officially become part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., representing the first piece by this renowned artist to be included in the museum's archives.
The artwork, titled Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy (circa 1625), was believed to be lost until it reemerged in 2011 within a private collection in France. In 2014, it was auctioned at Sotheby's, fetching an impressive $1.1 million and setting a record for Gentileschi at that time.
Over the past decade, Gentileschi has gained significant recognition, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement, which highlighted her powerful depictions of women's experiences with male violence. A retrospective held in 2021 at London's National Gallery further elevated her status in the art world.
Once a lesser-known figure of the Baroque era, Gentileschi's work was often misattributed to her father, Orazio Gentileschi, until feminist art historians like Mary Garrard brought her contributions to light in the late 20th century.
While Gentileschi explored biblical themes similar to her male peers, her art uniquely addressed gender dynamics and the psychological depth of her female subjects. Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy particularly emphasizes the emotional landscape of its subject, notably omitting typical religious symbols associated with Mary Magdalene.
With this acquisition, the National Gallery of Art joins other prestigious institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, that have significant works by Gentileschi.
The museum has not disclosed the ownership history of the painting since its auction in 2014. It is set to be displayed in the permanent collection galleries starting in March. The National Gallery boasts a collection of approximately 160,000 pieces, ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary works.
Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "Bringing Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy into our collection marks a significant milestone, reflecting our ongoing commitment to enhancing our historical holdings and broadening public access to exceptional art. We eagerly anticipate sharing this pivotal painting with visitors for years to come."