CONFIDENT NOT REPENTANT: Either Giampetrino or Leonardo da Vinci painted this very unusual rendering of Mary Magdalene in 1515. No overbearing crucifix, no Bible, no skull, and most importantly, no whip with which to punish herself for being a fallen woman. Only a rose, because she is the Venus Rose in more ways than one. 

Nothing about this image suggests submission. Mary is proud, strong and at ease with her own body and sensuality. One gets the sense that it portrays The Passion of Mary at the tomb, maybe she is even looking at Christ, her lover, confidant, equal and friend. 

So much negativity surrounds Mary’s sexuality, centuries of judgement and immoral morality has reduced her to being a penitent in need of saving. The only thing the church fears more than her body is her mind.