Although there is no documentary evidence to support the attribution of the present composition to Algardi, or indeed to date it, his authorship is not in doubt. Montagu (loc. cit.), who associates the invention with the Ecstasy of the Magdalen, of 1635, further points out that it was extremely popular, and lists no less than 17 variants in different media. The present example, a simplified version - uniquely - in silvered bronze, was known to her only from a photograph.