Granada School; late 17th - early 18th century. "Penitent Magdalene". Polychrome terracotta. Measurements: 31 x 24,5 x 25 cm. Round sculpture made in terracotta in which the author conceives not only a figure, but a whole context referring to it. For this reason the rock with the skull of the work is so prominent, and for this reason the author forces the posture of Mary Magdalene, obliging the observer to contemplate the piece in a 360 degree turn. The saint is shown kneeling, in an attitude of clemency, looking towards the skull, which stands out snowy against the black rock that forms the base. Formally, the sculpture has been worked in the baroque style of the 17th century, in an exasperated and dramatic attitude, with the long hair that identifies her. The tremendously expressive face is enough in itself to reflect the saint s feelings of desolation and deep drama. Stylistically, it is clear that the present work is strongly influenced by 17th-century Baroque models from the Granada school, not only in the iconography but also in the model chosen as an influence for it, in the decoration of the clothing, the colouring, the facial features, etc. The veristic reproduction of the details does not detract from the delicacy of the forms and the serenity of the face, inheriting in this the influence of classicism. The Granada school, which was strongly influenced by the Renaissance period, included great figures such as Pablo de Rojas, Juan Martínez Montañés (who trained in the city with the former), Alonso de Mena, Alonso Cano, Pedro de Mena, Bernardo de Mora, Pedro Roldán, Torcuato Ruiz del Peral, etc. In general, the school does not neglect the beauty of the images and also follows naturalism, as was usual at the time, but it would always emphasise the intimacy and seclusion in delicate images which would be somewhat similar to the rest of the Andalusian schools in another series of details but which do not usually have the monumentality of the Sevillian ones. The work can be inscribed, specifically, in the stylistic circle of the Mora workshop (José and Diego). This was one of the most important workshops in Granada in the 17th century. The artistic legacy of this family of image-makers, which spanned from the last third of the 17th century to the second half of the 18th century, was a milestone in the Granada school. Influenced by the work of both Alonso Cano and Pedro de Mena, his influence led him to create a very personal and characteristic style.