LONDON.- The first major UK exhibition to explore the legacy of Mary Magdalene through historic and contemporary art is to be staged by the National Gallery at three locations across the north of England in 2027.
Partnering with the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield and The Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland, this exhibition will explore the making of Mary Magdalene, looking closely at her legacy shaped by belief, power and misrepresentation.
Mary Magdalene: Woman and Myth will bring together eight paintings from the National Gallery’s collection, (works by Carlo Crivelli about 1491-4, Annibale Carracci 1604 and Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo about 1535-40), alongside three loans: Saint Mary Magdalene in the Desert, 1869, by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (on loan from the Städel Museum), The Tower (Mary Magdalene), 2022, by Jesse Jones, and The Map, 2021, by Alice Maher and Rachel Fallon (both courtesy of the artists).
See her story unfold from Renaissance panel painting to contemporary sculpture and meet the woman behind one of history’s most enduring images. At each venue, the exhibition will be enriched by works from the host collection, creating a different experience for audiences in Liverpool, Sheffield and Bishop Auckland. The breadth of art in this exhibition explores how centuries of storytelling have constructed a Magdalene far beyond what scripture records. Exploring why Mary Magdalene continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration, the exhibition centres her as a saint and a figure of devotion, authority and witness – not just a penitent sinner.
The life of Saint Mary Magdalene has always been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. In the biblical stories of Jesus’ life, she travels alongside him, supports his public ministry and is present for his suffering, death and resurrection. However, over the centuries, her story was merged with other Gospel women and her role as a witness and disciple often became overshadowed by the image of a repentant sinner. Her image was transformed across the art, theology and popular culture of Western Europe. Individuals and institutions fashioned her as a figure who could embody their ideas about female sexuality and the importance of repentance, a pattern repeated throughout history.
Connecting her story to contemporary feminist discourse, the exhibition will explore how women’s histories are maintained, manipulated and erased under intersecting systems of power, and ultimately honours Mary Magdalene’s enduring legacy and, with her, the legacies of all women who persist in the face of misrepresentation.
Dr Siobhán Jolley, Lecturer in Christian Studies at the University of Manchester and Curator of the exhibition, says: ‘Mary Magdalene's story is ultimately a story about power: who is remembered, who is misrepresented, and whose voices are heard. Over nearly two thousand years, her image has been continually reshaped to reflect changing ideas about women's authority, sexuality and faith. By exploring the relationship between the woman and the myth, the exhibition invites visitors to consider what happens when a life becomes a legend, and why that matters today.’
Conceived as a touring exhibition from the outset, Mary Magdalene: Woman and Myth will first open at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, from 6 February - 23 May 2027. It will then travel to the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield, from 17 June – 12 September 2027. Finally, it will arrive at The Auckland Palace, Bishop Auckland, 29 September 2027 – 2 January 2028.
Alex Kavanagh, Head of Exhibitions at the National Gallery says: ‘We are incredibly fortunate to be working with three wonderful partners across the UK on this tour. Exhibitions like this allow us to take the National Gallery’s collection beyond Trafalgar Square and share it with audiences across the country. By working together, we can bring great art to more people and tell compelling stories that resonate with communities nationwide.’
