Penitent Magdalene
1711
oil
From the collection of Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
1711
oil
From the collection of Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
This painting shows a woman sitting on a rocky surface, with a skull at her feet. She is wearing a dark cloth wrapped around her waist and is holding a book in her left hand. The woman's right arm is resting on her knee, and her head is tilted slightly to the side. The background of the painting is a rocky landscape with a cloudy sky. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a dramatic effect, with the woman's face and body illuminated by a strong light source. If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this painting, you might want to look up Adriaen van der Werff.
