4- Beyond the Reform Houses

Print culture

This showcase concludes by briefly looking at 17th century chapbooks to demonstrate how Mary Magdalene’s image was appropriated by a variety of different artistic mediums as a gendered model of imitation for ‘fallen women’.

Whilst this exhibition has looked exclusively at Magdalene artwork in reform institutions themselves, the use of the repentant saint’s image to incite prostitution reform also manifested in print culture. Indeed, Mary Magdalene was the most popular female saint theme depicted in chapbooks (popular printed stories with a moral theme). Illustrated Magdalene chapbooks spread the prostitution reform agenda quickly to influence public opinion, whilst art in rehabilitation institutions aimed to inspire the inhabitants from inside.

An example illustration from one such chapbook can be seen BELOW. The woodcut illustration contrasts the positive story of Mary Magdalene’s moral conversion with the story inside which reccounts the miserable destiny of a prostitute who does not chose the path of redemption. This story, written in venacular, would have resonated with the everyday layperson roaming the Italian city streets, from prostitutes to priests to artisans.  

Conclusion

This online exhbition has shown how, despite serving different female demographics and outcomes, both print culture and the prostitute reform institutions used Mary Magdalene to serve their moral reform agendas. Magdalene’s conflated identity meant her image could be manipulated to serve varied needs across prostitution reform; monastic or secular, married or single, old or young. Magdalene’s blended legend had widespread resonance for women of all walks of life who found themselves in difficult situations.

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4- Beyond the Reform Houses