Beneath the face of Mary Magdalene was that of a bearded man. This was revealed by X-ray analysis of a painting by Titian that has been on display at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum since October 22. The painting, never before shown to the public, arrived in Milan thanks to a long-term loan granted by a private collector.
The Hidden Face Beneath Mary Magdalene and Titian’s Connection to Milan
On display for the first time at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum is a *Madonna and Child with Mary Magdalene* attributed to Titian, with a contribution by Girolamo Dente. X-rays have revealed beneath the face of Mary Magdalene a bearded man, possibly the original patron.
The canvas is the centerpiece of the exhibition *A Titian for Milan*, which brings together four works and explores the artist’s connection to the city: in 1541, Titian arrived in Milan for the triumphal entry of Charles V, and the following year he was commissioned to paint *The Crowning with Thorns* for Santa Maria delle Grazie. A QR code also offers a tour of the Milanese sites associated with the painter.
A Titian for Milan: Dates and Information
The exhibition is on view at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, located at Via Manzoni 12, through January 25, 2027. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission at 5:30 p.m.; it is closed on Tuesdays.
Full-price admission is 15 euros; reduced-price admission for those over 65 is 13 euros; and reduced-price admission for young people is 10 euros. For the duration of the exhibition, visitors to the Poldi Pezzoli can also take advantage of a discount on admission to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana: for details, please inquire at the ticket offices of both museums.