Mary Magdalene at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, examines one of the most complex figures in art history. Developed in collaboration with the Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung, the exhibition brings together more than 100 works to explore how this biblical character has been reimagined as a saint, a sinner, and a symbol of female independence across ten centuries.

The selection ranges from Middle Age sculptures to contemporary photography. Visitors will encounter significant loans from institutions like the National Gallery in London and the Vatican Museums, alongside major pieces by Albrecht Dürer, Georges de La Tour, and Max Beckmann. A particular focus is placed on female perspectives, featuring works by artists such as Luisa Roldán, Lotte Laserstein, and Kiki Smith.

By tracking Magdalene’s evolution, the show reveals shifting societal attitudes toward the body and faith. Instead of a singular religious narrative, it presents a history of perception, showing how each era used her image to address its own questions about gender roles and social status.

A rich, intellectually stimulating survey for those interested in iconography, the history of women in art, and how religious symbols adapt to modern contexts.

Start with the contemporary works at the opening to see how the figure is viewed today before following the chronological evolution back through the Renaissance and Middle Ages.