<i>Something About Mary</i>

Marlene Dumas, Magdalena from the Back (1996-99) Ink and chalk on paper, 49 1/4 x 25 5/8"

In the first act of Puccini’s Tosca, which opens the Met season this September, the painter Mario Cavaradossi is seen working on a portrait of Mary Magdalene. Now the biblical disciple is also serving as the inspiration for new work by top contemporary artists, on display in Gallery Met and seen here, tied to Luc Bondy’s new production. “Artists throughout history have portrayed Mary Magdalene,” says Gallery Met director Dodie Kazanjian. “Why not get a contemporary crop to do so?” The result is Something About Mary, which features work by (among others) Paul Chan, Francesco Clemente, George Condo, John Currin, Elizabeth Peyton, James Rosenquist, Julian Schnabel, Dana Schutz, and Francesco Vezzoli.

Something About Mary runs through January. Gallery Met, located in the south lobby, is open Monday through Friday, 6pm till the end of the last intermission, and Saturdays from noon through the last intermission. Closed on Sundays. Admission is free.

This photo gallery was first published online in September 2009.

Francesco Clemente, Self portrait as Maria Magdalen (2009) Pencil on paper, 50x38"
Courtesy the artist and Deitch Projects, NY

John Currin, Mademoiselle Oil on Canvas, 43x34"
Courtesy Gagosian Gallery
Collection Peter Morton

Barnaby Furnas, Mary Magdalene (2009) Acrylic on Canvas, 41x33"
Courtesy the artist; Marianne Boesky Gallery, NY; Modern Art, London; and Anthony Meier Fine Arts, San Francisco

George Condo, Mary Magdalene (2009) Oil on linen, 27x26"
Courtesy the artist and Luhring Augustine, New York

Julian Schnabel, Mary (2009) Oil and resin on canvas, 28 3/4 x 22"
Copyright Julian Schnabel, Julian Schnabel Studio

James Rosenquist, Tosca 2009 Oil on canvas with lace collage, 72x72"
Copyright James Rosenquist, Acquavella Gallery

Shahzia Sikander, Mary Magdalene (2009) Ink and gouache on prepared paper, 15x11.5"
Courtesy the artist and Sikkema Jenkins and Co., NY

Francesco Vezzoli, SILVANA MANGANO AS MARY MAGDALENE (1999-2009) Laserprint on canvas, metal needles, 39x29 cm
Courtesy Gagosian Gallery

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled (Mary Magdalene) (2009) Oil on linen, 16x13"
Courtesy the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery, NY

Hugh Bush, Wrapped (2009 ) Beechwood, archival quality photographs, neutral ph adhesive, acrylic paint, varnish, 14x11"
Courtesy the artist

Rachel Feinstein, Mary (me) (2009) Enamel on mirror, 41 1/2 x 30 3/4 inches
Courtesy the artist and Marianne Boesky Gallery

Elizabeth Peyton, Mary Magdalene after El Greco Pastel pencil on paper, 8 5/8 x 6"
Courtesy the artist/Gavin Brown’s enterprise

Julian Schnabel, Portrait of a Woman from Jerusalem (2009) Oil and resin on canvas, 77 5/8 x 52 1/8" (90x64" framed)

Dana Schutz, Surrogate (2009) Oil on canvas, 48x47"
Courtesy the artist and Zach Feuer Gallery, NY