Saint Mary Magdalene

Masterpiece of grace and delicacy, the stone statue of Saint Mary Magdalene, from the XVth century and preserved in the sacristy, is undoubtedly one of the most precious satues of Souvigny.

Wrapped in a long coat that covers her head but lets her wavy hairs apparent, Mary Magdalene holds a banderole and a bottle of perfume. At first sight, the stocky appearence and the fullness of the draped coat evoke the burgundian art and in particular the Mary Magdalene of Saussy. Even though, the statue of Souvigny reveals a very particular charm: the contrapposto is counterbalanced by the bottle of perfume and the bow of her head; all these details evoke the art of Rouergue (Jacques Morel, famous french sculptor of Rodez (currently in the Aveyron département) of the XVth century who made this statue frequently came in Souvigny between 1448 and 1453).

The pose taken by the head, the pinched eyelids and the waves of the coat announce the wonderful Holy Virgin of Inières, originally from Rodez (1470). But the big domed forehead is more specific to the art of Bourbonnais. A Saint Mary Magdalene from the former Molinier collection, exiled in New York, could be linked to the one of Souvigny, for her damask in coat and her waves in hairs.

Plan de situation


Sainte Marie Madeleine (sacristie de Souvigny).

Motif flamboyant au revers du manteau de la Sainte Madeleine de Souvigny


Extrait de «Auvergne Bourbonnais Forez » (1998)
de Jacques Baudoin aux éditions Créer (63340 Nonette)