"The Penitent Magdalen" is showing the actual definition of loneliness, and "The Creation of Adam" is trying to avoid it. The despondency that is brought by being unaccompanied is difficult to empathize, and even more complex to extract. Perchance it never departs from one's essence, but is simply veiled because of a fresh hero that comes to one's heart to distract the effects of lonliness untill that attatchment runs dry, or maybe loneliness is simply a state of mind that comes and goes as it pleases in this emotionally dented world in which we exist, but never actually clings. Whatever loneliness truly is, and regardless of how anyone attempts to define it; it does subsist with much power and emotion. .
Most human beings don't want to be lonely. For some, it is even the worst fear in their lives. It is because humans need love, companionship, someone to learn from, someone to trust, and simply someone to talk to. These needs cannot be fulfilled if one is by himself. The point of loneliness goes far beyond a man's need for a woman, or vice-versa. A person needs family in general. Sometimes it doesn't even have to be another human, but a pet. It is human nature to have the need for someone to just be there, and even more so for somebody to love. The body and soul longs for someone to cling to, and someone to squeeze back.
In "The Penitent Magdalen", she seems to be lonely due to a lost soul mate; perhaps a husband. That special someone is one of the most important things in a person's life. Everyone works so hard to get what is in their eyes, a perfect relationship. There is no real definition to a perfect relationship. It is a choice of what makes someone happy and takes away the fear of loneliness. It is difficult to pass the time waiting for someone extraordinary, but when one finds that definite person, it is like they were alongside you all along. For a female, a husband is there to console and love her.