Artwork
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan Boeckhorst. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jan Boeckhorst, a German‑born painter who worked in Antwerp during the mid‑17th century, executed the oil painting on wood titled *Mary Magdalene* around 1650. The work belongs to the Flemish Baroque tradition and is currently part of the Walters Art Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a female figure identified as Mary Magdalene, her blond hair cascading over her shoulders. She holds a cracked skull in her left hand, while her right hand rests upon it, her gaze lifted upward. Red‑tinged eyes and a sorrowful expression suggest contemplation of mortality and penitence, themes traditionally associated with the saint.
Technique & Style
Boeckhorst employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, using a dark, undefined background to illuminate the figure’s flesh and the skull’s stark details. The soft lighting creates a gradual transition between light and shadow, emphasizing the texture of the wood panel and the delicate rendering of hair and skin.
History & Provenance
The painting reflects Boeckhorst’s artistic lineage, drawing on the influence of Antwerp masters such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Jacob Jordaens. After remaining in private hands for several centuries, the work entered the Walters Art Museum, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Boeckhorst or Johann Bockhorst (c. 1604 – 21 April 1668) was a German-born Flemish Baroque painter and draughtsman who worked most of his career in Antwerp. He was a versatile artist who produced history paintings,…
