Richard Saltonstall Greenough (American, 1819–1904). <em>Mary Magdalene</em>, 1869. Marble, 70 3/8 x 24 1/2 x 19 1/2 in., 900 lb. (178.8 x 62.2 x 49.5 cm, 408.24kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Cooper Union Museum of Art, 62.153. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 62.153_bw.jpg)

Richard Saltonstall Greenough (American, 1819–1904). Mary Magdalene, 1869. Marble, 70 3/8 x 24 1/2 x 19 1/2 in., 900 lb. (178.8 x 62.2 x 49.5 cm, 408.24kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Cooper Union Museum of Art, 62.153. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 62.153_bw.jpg)

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Who sculpted Mary?

That sculpture of Mary Madgalene is by Richard Greenough, an American sculptor of the 1800s. Greenough had a studio in Italy and he was very familiar with sculpture of the classical era, the Renaissance, and the Baroque.

That's one of my favorite sculptures here! Richard Greenough was an American sculptor working abroad in Rome and then Paris. He was strongly influenced by the art of ancient or classi al Greek and Rome, which he was able to see in European museums so his style is called "neoclassical." Are you familiar with Mary Magdalene?

Yes, but do tell me more!

She was a close follower of Christ, and in the New Testament, she is the first to arrive at Christ's tomb three days after his Crucifixion. Here, Greenough shows her in a moment of grief when she finds that Christ's tomb is empty. Her face and gesture are so expressive, and if you look at her hand, you'll see that she is holding a branch of thorns. It's a reference to Christ's passion and suffering. The sculptor's wife, Sarah Greenough, wrote a poem inspired by this sculpture telling the story of Christ's death and resurrection from Mary's point of view.

Oh that is so beautiful, thank you, I wasn't sure if it was before or after she met Jesus.

You're welcome! It's just before Christ appears to her and reveals himself as risen so we as viewers know what is going to happen, but she doesn't yet.

I had no idea all of that about this sculpture, I was just so moved by the emotion. I will look up poem. So impressive and expressive! Thank you.

There are some other life-size marble sculptures of women in "American Identities," on the 5th floor but I have to admit that this one is my favorite.

Thanks again and I will go check them out. Happy New Years and all the best for 2016!

Happy New Year! Thanks so much.

I'm Italian, for this reason I'm interested about this work!

Richard Greenough was an American sculptor working abroad in Rome and then Paris. He was strongly influenced by the art of ancient or classical Greek and Rome, which he was able to see in European museums so his style is called "Neoclassical." He did this work sculpture of what he thought Mary Magdalene would look like. Greenough was very much inspired by the Renaissance and the Baroque styles of sculpture.

Yes it's incredible...I thought I was in front a classic masterpiece.

There are similar sculptures on the 5th floor in our American art galleries by other American sculptors that evoke the Classical style.

Can you tell me about this?

This is a statue of Mary Magdalene by Richard Greenough. The artist was one of many American sculptors who lived and worked in Italy in the 1800s. He was interested in depicting figures from the Old and New Testaments, including Mary Magdalene, who plays an important part in the life story of Jesus Christ.

Mary Magdalene

Richard Saltonstall Greenough

American Art

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

Richard Greenough, the younger brother and pupil of the Neoclassical sculptor Horatio Greenough, belongs to the second generation of American expatriate artists who lived and worked in Italy. Like Thomas Ball, Emma Stebbins, and Margaret Foley, whose biblical figures are displayed nearby, Greenough drew on the Old and New Testaments in seeking subjects for his work in marble. Mary Magdalene was a follower of Christ who witnessed the Crucifixion. Greenough broke with the visual restraint of Neoclassicism to introduce an emotional element, expressed not only in facial expression and gesture, but also in the dynamic surface rhythms and bold play of light and shadow in the folds of drapery.

ARTIST Richard Saltonstall Greenough, American, 1819–1904

MEDIUM Marble

DATES 1869

DIMENSIONS 70 3/8 x 24 1/2 x 19 1/2 in., 900 lb. (178.8 x 62.2 x 49.5 cm, 408.24kg) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Incised on edge of base at proper left side, rear: "R. S. GREENOUGH, / SCt. PARIS, 1869."

INSCRIPTIONS Incised along front edge of base: "MARY MAGDALENE"

COLLECTIONS American Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 62.153

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Cooper Union Museum of Art

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Life-sized sculpture of woman in contrapposto pose; head tilted back in expression of grief (eyes closed and lips parted), tendrils of long hair fall over shoulders; holds proper right arm over head; proper left arm rests at side with crown of thorns in hand; figure in classical dress with robe wrapped around waist and draped over right arm down back; stands on flat ovoid base with straight front edge. Condition: Good.

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

CAPTION Richard Saltonstall Greenough (American, 1819–1904). Mary Magdalene, 1869. Marble, 70 3/8 x 24 1/2 x 19 1/2 in., 900 lb. (178.8 x 62.2 x 49.5 cm, 408.24kg). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Cooper Union Museum of Art, 62.153. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 62.153_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 62.153_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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