Donatello chose to depict Mary Magdalene with a haggard, emaciated look to symbolize her penitent nature and spiritual transformation. This portrayal reflects a traditional narrative of Mary Magdalene as a sinner who renounced worldly pleasures and lived an ascetic life as a hermit, enduring harsh conditions and mortifying her body for redemption. Her gaunt, worn appearance conveys the psychological and spiritual anguish she experienced, emphasizing her deep repentance and the hardships she faced in isolation. This is a striking departure from earlier artistic portrayals that showed her as youthful and beautiful, focusing instead on her intense spiritual journey and emotional depth.
The sculpture also physically manifests the story of her life of penance, with her long, rough hair acting as a garment to cover her naked body, signifying both her humility and past sin. Donatello's use of emaciation highlights the weight of sin and guilt she carries, making viewers reflect on the gravity of redemption and the cost of spiritual transformation.
In summary, Donatello's artistic choice presents Mary Magdalene not as a sensual figure, but as a powerful symbol of penitence, endurance, and ultimate hope through faith. This approach made a profound psychological and emotional impact on viewers, inviting empathy and contemplation of the saint's redemptive journey.
