1506
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalene is a 1506 ink by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a crowded scene of winged angels swirling around a central figure. The angels have chubby faces and soft, flowing robes, while the main person sits with arms outstretched, as if floating. Below them, a small town with spires and a river stretches out, framed by rocky hills. Notice how the artist packed so many tiny details into every corner—even the clouds look like they’re made of brushstrokes. This isn’t painted; it’s carved into wood and printed, which is why the lines feel sharp and repetitive. Next, check out how woodcut works to see how artists turned simple carvings into dramatic scenes.
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
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