After 500 years, Mary Magdalene was spotted on Michelangelo's masterpiece "The Last Judgment": scientists are stunned

Thanks to its profound depiction of redemption and damnation, the fresco by Italian sculptor and artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, The Last Judgment, is one of the most incredible paintings in the world. However, scientists are stunned because 500 years after the creation of the masterpiece, Mary Magdalene was spotted on the canvas.

According to Italian art critic and writer Sara Penko, one of Christ's most devoted followers looks elegant in the painting with blond hair. Mary Magdalene kisses the cross of Jesus in the fresco, writes DailyMail.

The Last Judgment, measuring 130 by 150 meters, is known to have been painted on the entire wall of the altar of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican by the Italian artist Michelangelo between 1536 and 1541. The masterpiece shows many figures ascending to heaven or descending to hell on the day of the Last Judgment.

Art historian and writer Sarah Penko makes an unexpected discovery in her new book Mary Magdalene at Michelangelo's Trial. "I am firmly convinced that this is Mary Magdalene. The proximity to the Cross, the yellow dress and blond hair, as well as the whole context in which Michelangelo places this figure to emphasize its importance," the Italian researcher said.

Penko claims that the muscular, almost naked man holding the cross in Michelangelo's painting is Christ. This is not Simon of Cyrene, who was forced by the Romans to carry Jesus' cross on the way to his crucifixion, as was previously believed.

This indicates that there are two images of Jesus in the Last Judgment-one on the right with Mary Magdalene and the other in the center in a glow of light and surrounded by many prominent saints and his mother, the Virgin Mary.

According to the researcher, although the faces of the two versions of Jesus look different, the right hand of both is in a similar position and they have the same blonde locks of hair. They are also smoothly shaved, which deviates from traditional depictions of Jesus with a beard, which scholars believe were inspired by the ancient Greek statue of Apollo.

Although it may seem strange that two Jesuses are depicted in the painting, they are distinguished as "Christ the Judge" and "Christ the Savior," says Sarah Penko.

Professor Yvonne Dona Schlobitten of the Gregorian University of Rome agrees with the new interpretation of the Italian writer.

"With great intuition, Sara Penko discovered what defines the essence of art. We can clearly see how iconography and theology are linked in Penko's reasoning to form a vision. The woman kissing the cross plays an important role, even if she looks hidden at the edges of the image," the scholar said.

The Last Judgment is believed to contain about 300 figures, so even 500 years after the masterpiece was completed, there are ongoing discussions among researchers about their identities.

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