There are versions of this subject by Reni in a number of other collections and the Magdalen's head in this painting seems to derive from a full-length painting of her in the Galleria Nazionale, Rome.

A date in the mid-1630s has been suggested for this painting. This period was one in which Reni's style took a new direction with a generally paler palette.

In 1786 this painting was engraved by Bouilliard.