Apotheosis of Saint Mary Magdalen

Art Historical Context

Luca Cambiaso, a prominent Genoese artist of the sixteenth century, created this expressive drawing during his lifetime (1527–1585). Titled *Apotheosis of Saint Mary Magdalen*, the work captures the saint’s elevation to heavenly glory, a popular theme in Counter-Reformation art that emphasized her repentance and divine favor. The inclusion of children among the figures likely represents attendant angels, underscoring the sacred and tender nature of the scene. Executed in brush and black ink, the drawing highlights Cambiaso’s masterful command of line and tone. This fluid medium allowed him to achieve dramatic contrasts and sculptural forms with remarkable economy, qualities that made his drawings highly prized by collectors. Measuring just over twelve by eight inches, the intimate scale invites close viewing of the dynamic composition and delicate modeling. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum’s collection through a generous gift in 1887, the sheet offers a window into Cambiaso’s inventive approach to religious subjects and the enduring appeal of drawings as independent works of art.

About the Artist

Luca Cambiaso · 1527–1585

Luca Cambiaso (1527–1585) was an Italian painter and draftsman who dominated artistic life in Genoa during the second half of the sixteenth century and became one of the most innovative draftsmen of the Late Renaissance. Born in Moneglia near Genoa, he trained under his father, the painter Giovanni Cambiaso, and demonstrated precocious talent, reportedly completing his first public fresco commissi...