The Conversion of Mary Magdalene

Paolo Veronese's Conversion of Mary Magdalene, painted around 1548 and now in the National Gallery, London, is an early work depicting the moment when the Magdalene turns from her sinful life to follow Christ. Veronese was beginning to establish himself outside his native Verona during this period, and the painting shows his developing elegant style with its distinctive cool palette and statuesque figure types that would mature into the magnificent decorative paintings of his later career.

Veronese's early technique shows his developing silver-toned palette and elegant figure style, with the refined compositional arrangement and cool color harmonies that distinguish his approach from the warmer tones of the established Venetian tradition.