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St. Mary Magdalene Penitent, 1585. Creator: Hendrik Goltzius
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St. Mary Magdalene Penitent, 1585. Creator: Hendrik Goltzius
St. Mary Magdalene Penitent, 1585
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Media ID 20569829
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Bare Feet Crying Goltzius Goltzius Hendrik Hendrick Goltzius Hendrik Hendrik Goltzius Henry Goltzius Lizard Mary Magdalen Mary Magdalene Ointment Penitence Penitent Skull Tears Barefoot Nakedness Netherlandish Nudity
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print titled "St. Mary Magdalene Penitent, 1585". Hendrik Goltzius masterfully captures the essence of penitence and religious devotion. The image depicts a full-length portrait of St. Mary Magdalene, a central figure in Christian tradition, who is shown in a state of deep contemplation. Barefoot and with tears streaming down her face, St. Mary Magdalene's sorrowful expression conveys her profound remorse for past sins. She holds an open book in one hand, symbolizing her dedication to literature and spiritual enlightenment. A jar containing ointment rests beside her on the ground, representing her role as the woman who anointed Jesus Christ's feet. Goltzius' meticulous engraving technique brings out intricate details such as the texture of St. Mary Magdalene's flowing hair and the delicate scales of a lizard crawling near her bare feet—a subtle reminder of temptation that she has overcome through repentance. The inclusion of a skull at the bottom right corner serves as a memento mori—an emblematic reminder of human mortality—underscoring the gravity with which St. Mary Magdalene approaches her penitential journey. This thought-provoking artwork showcases Goltzius' skill in capturing raw emotion through his precise lines and shading techniques while highlighting themes central to Christianity: redemption, faith, and personal transformation. As viewers contemplate this powerful image from centuries ago, they are invited
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