Artwork
St. Mary Magdalen Penitent
St. Mary Magdalen Penitent is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1585 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Hendrick Goltzius’s 1558 engraving, *St.
About this work
Overview
Hendrick Goltzius’s 1558 engraving, *St. Mary Magdalen Penitent*, presents a solitary female figure seated on a craggy slope. Rendered on laid paper, the composition balances a quiet interiority with a modest landscape that recedes into the distance, inviting the viewer to contemplate the saint’s moment of remorse.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Mary Magdalene, shown in a pose of contrition: one hand cradles a small book or tablet, while the other rests upon her chest, suggesting an inner dialogue of repentance. Symbolic objects—a skull, a shattered vase, and a small dog—underscore themes of mortality, brokenness, and fidelity, reinforcing the devotional narrative common in mid‑sixteenth‑century religious art.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employs the fine, parallel lines characteristic of engraving to model light and shadow across the figure’s drapery and the rocky terrain. The meticulous hatching creates a tactile sense of texture, from the softness of the hair to the roughness of the stone, exemplifying the Northern Mannerist emphasis on intricate detail and controlled virtuosity.
History & Provenance
Born in Germany and active in the Dutch Republic, Goltzius emerged as a pre‑eminent printmaker of the early Baroque era. This particular print, dated 1558, reflects his mature style and was likely circulated among collectors of devotional imagery. Its survival on laid paper attests to the durability of his technique, and it remains documented in several European print collections.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
