Mary Magdalene Painting Gets Makeover

No Botox or plastic surgery was involved, but Mary Magadalene is definitely sporting a more youthful, radiant glow these days.

The transformation was unveiled Thursday when Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomed the 18th-century painting back after a three-month restoration project.

Conservator Aneta Zebala, who has refurbished several other paintings for the Mission, spent three months on Mary Magdalene, stripping away dirt and grime to uncover the original colors and detail.

“The Mary Magdalene painting ... was in extremely bad shape," said Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, the Mission's executive director. "It was damaged, varnished, very dusty, and it had rips and tears all over. Then, this incredible couple from Los Angeles called the Mission because they were moved by the painting and wanted to help fix it."

The couple, Mike and Jeanne Beckman, said they felt honored to finance the restoration.

"We thought this was a wonderful way ... to be a part of the history of Mission San Juan Capistrano," Jeanne Beckman said. “We selected the painting Penitent Mary Magdalene because, in the New Testament, she is a profound example of the blessing of repentance and forgiveness, which we hoped would be conveyed to visitors who would see her in her new, restored condition."

The painting reportedly originated in the 1700s, but the artist's identity is a mystery. The signature says "C.E. Sheldon," but nobody has found a record of that artist, according to a press release from the Mission.

Lawrence-Adams said she hoped this restoration would be the first of many unveilings to come.

“The Mission is moving in a direction of becoming a living museum and sharing our collection with the public. We have a wonderful collection of artifacts and art, and sharing them is the goal of our foundation,” Lawrence-Adams said.