Magdalena

Aann Reynales

Oil on Canvas

36 x 48 inches

2026

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This work explores the intersection of Christianity, patriarchy, and the historical construction of women’s identities. It reflects on how religious narratives have often been used to define what a “good woman” should be while condemning those who exist outside those expectations.

Drawing from the story of Mary Magdalene, the piece questions centuries of tradition that wrongly portrayed her as a prostitute—a label that shaped how many people viewed women associated with sin, sexuality, and independence. Although this interpretation has been challenged by modern biblical scholarship, its influence continues to echo in society.

Rather than criticizing faith itself, the artwork examines how religious interpretations can be used to justify the control, judgment, and marginalization of women. It invites viewers to reconsider inherited narratives and ask who has the power to shape history, morality, and the image of womanhood.