St. Mary Magdalen Penitent
1585
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1585
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
St. Mary Magdalen Penitent is a 1585 ink by Hendrik Goltzius, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a woman sitting on a rocky hillside. She holds a small book or tablet in one hand and touches her heart with the other. Her hair is loose, and she wears a draped cloth over her shoulder. Nearby, a skull and a broken vase lie on the ground, while a small dog sits at her feet. The scene looks quiet and thoughtful, with a distant landscape in the background. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, making the scene feel detailed. Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists like this one made such sharp images.
