Who painted Maddalena?

Maddalena was painted by Jacques Callot in 1619.

Where can I see Maddalena?

Maddalena is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Maddalena?

Maddalena is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Maddalena

Jacques Callot , 1619

Maddalena is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

This painting shows a woman, Maddalena, in a simple room.
She's sitting with her head in her hands.
The artist used a lot of detail to draw her, which is interesting because it was made a long time ago, in 1619, and this level of detail was hard to achieve with engraving.
To learn more about the artist who made this, look up artist: Callot, Jacques.

Overview

Jacques Callot, a French printmaker active in the early seventeenth century, executed the engraving titled Maddalena in 1619. The work is printed on laid paper and depicts a solitary woman seated in a modest interior, her head bowed in her hands. The composition combines a focused figure study with a carefully rendered setting, characteristic of Callot’s approach to narrative prints.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a woman identified as Maddalena, portrayed in a moment of introspection or distress. Her posture—head resting on her hands—suggests personal sorrow or contemplation, inviting viewers to consider themes of melancholy or penitence within a domestic space.

Technique & Style

Callot achieved a high degree of detail through the engraving process, a demanding medium in 1619. The fine lines and cross‑hatching render textures of fabric, wood, and skin with precision, demonstrating his skill in manipulating laid paper to convey depth and atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created during Callot’s prolific period, Maddalena belongs to a body of work that includes over a thousand etchings and engravings documenting a range of subjects from military scenes to religious narratives. The print reflects his early career in Lorraine before his later move to Paris, where he further refined his printmaking techniques.

Context

Maddalena emerges from the Baroque era’s interest in dramatic emotion and detailed realism. While many of Callot’s prints feature bustling crowds or elaborate courtly settings, this intimate interior scene illustrates his versatility in handling both expansive narratives and solitary, psychological moments.