Artwork
Penitent Magdalene
Penitent Magdalene is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1712 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
The Penitent Magdalene is a 1712 oil painting by Adriaen van der Werff, a Dutch artist known for his portraits and devotional scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Mary Magdalene sitting on rocky ground, lost in contemplation as she gazes at a book or paper. A skull at her feet symbolizes mortality, underscoring her penitence.
Technique & Style
The work showcases van der Werff's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that employs strong contrasts between light and dark. Soft, focused lighting highlights the figure's skin, creating a striking visual effect against the surrounding shadows.
History & Provenance
The Penitent Magdalene is now held in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, having been created as part of van der Werff's religious works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van der Werff (21 January 1659 – 12 November 1722) was a Dutch painter of portraits and erotic, devotional and mythological scenes.
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