National Gallery to Tour 'Mary Magdalene: Woman and Myth' Across Northern England in 2027
The Facts
On July 1, 2026, the National Gallery, London, announced a major touring exhibition, 'Mary Magdalene: Woman and Myth', which will open at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool from February 6 to May 23, 2027, before traveling to the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield (June 17–September 12, 2027) and Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland (September 29, 2027–January 2, 2028). The exhibition brings together eight paintings from the National Gallery’s collection, including works by Carlo Crivelli, Annibale Carracci, and Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo, alongside three loans: Pierre Puvis de Chavannes' 'Saint Mary Magdalene in the Desert' (1869) from the Städel Museum, Frankfurt, and contemporary works by Jesse Jones, Alice Maher, and Rachel Fallon. Each venue will add pieces from its own collection, creating distinct local experiences. Curated by Dr Siobhán Jolley of the University of Manchester, the show examines how Mary Magdalene’s image has been shaped by belief, power, and misrepresentation over two millennia, linking her story to contemporary feminist discourse.
The Signal
The touring model reflects the National Gallery’s strategy to extend its reach beyond Trafalgar Square, partnering with regional institutions to engage audiences across the UK. By juxtaposing Renaissance masterpieces with recent sculptures and installations, the exhibition offers a critical re-reading of a biblical figure whose legacy has often been reduced to that of a penitent sinner. For collectors and curators, this signals a growing institutional appetite for interrogating historical narratives through a contemporary lens, potentially elevating the market for works that challenge traditional iconography. The tour also marks the Walker Art Gallery’s 150th anniversary year, underscoring the role of regional museums in national cultural programming.
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- Artists: Carlo Crivelli, Annibale Carracci, Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo, Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, Jesse Jones, Alice Maher, Rachel Fallon
- People: Dr Siobhán Jolley, Alex Kavanagh
- Museums: National Gallery, London, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, Millennium Gallery, Sheffield, Auckland Palace, Bishop Auckland, Städel Museum, Frankfurt
- Locations: Liverpool, Sheffield, Bishop Auckland, London, Frankfurt
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