"The Worst of All Sinners": Repentant St. Mary Magdalene by Władysław Niewiarowicz

This publication is dedicated to the exhibition The Worst of All Sinners: Painting Repentant St. Mary Magdalene by Władysław Niewiarowicz, which  was held at the Vilnius Picture Gallery and presented one of the most popular works of the old Lithuanian art. 

Art historian Joana Vitkutė, an exhibition curator, organiser and text author, says: „One hopes that the story of the first widely popular Lithuanian artwork will resonate with the 21st century spectator by prompting and affirming the principle that is well-known for the art history aficionados: a voiceless old painting (as well as its author) often hides a story worthy of a cinematic lens.“

The publication presents the painting depicting St. Mary Magdalene as well as its historical, social, artistic and even literary context. It introduces painter Władysław Niewiarowicz’s (1814/1815–1891) biography, his creative activity, most famous works and artistic legacy; it presents a detailed motif description, iconography and formal analysis of the famous painting.

The circumstances of St. Mary Magdalene‘s creation are no less interesting: it was created after a prototype painting Repentant St. Mary Magdalene by Belgian painter Jean Baptiste Lodewijk Maes. This is not a direct copy of the Belgian author’s work; J. Vitkutė explains in detail why the work by W. Niewiarowicz is an ambitious and masterful interpretation, which has rightfully received great acclaim and enthusiastic response from the contemporaries.

Finally, the famous painting has also inspired writers: three famous 19th century poems dedicated to the painting are known. This bi-lingual (Lithuanian and English) publication, as the exhibition, is one painting’s journey into the hearts and minds of the viewers and readers; a single object, like a window, reveals a very bright and lively landscape of 19th century art and social life.

 

Curator, publication editor and text authorJoana Vitkutė

Coordinator Dr Aistė Bimbirytė-Mackevičienė

Scientific consultants: Dr (hp) Rūta Janonienė, Dr Reda Griškaitė, Dalia Tarandaitė

Editor Ilona Čiužauskaitė

Translators: prof. habil. dr. Regina Koženiauskienė, dr. Raminta Bumbulytė

Designer Loreta Uzdraitė

Photographer Antanas Lukšėnas

Scanning by  Vaidotas Aukštaitis

Published by Lithuanian National Museum of Art, 2022

Printed by UAB „Petro ofsetas“

48 pages

25 x 19,7 cm

Copies 400