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Mary Magdalene Praying in the Wilderness

Johan Wierix

1582

ink

vellum

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

Mary Magdalene Praying in the Wilderness is a 1582 ink by Johan Wierix, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Johan Wierix
When & what style?: 1582 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a lone figure kneeling in a rocky, wooded landscape. The person’s long hair and robe blend with the rough terrain around them. Their hands are clasped in prayer, and a small animal lies nearby on the ground. The artist used fine lines to build up shadows and texture, giving the scene depth. This style was common in Renaissance religious art. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists like this created shading with lines.