Artwork
Temptation of Saint Mary Magdalen
Temptation of Saint Mary Magdalen is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Johann Liss. It dates from 1623 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.
About this work
Overview
Temptation of Saint Mary Magdalen is a 1623 oil painting by Johann Liss, a German artist associated with the early Italian Baroque movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Mary Magdalene being tempted, shown as a woman in white being pulled by a man in red and white robes. Her closed eyes and tilted head convey distress, while the man's blurred face and downcast eyes suggest a complex emotional dynamic.
Technique & Style
Liss employs chiaroscuro to create a dramatic scene, with a dark background and focused light on the figures, heightening the sense of tension.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister collection, exemplifying Liss's work during his time in Venice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Liss or Jan Lys (c. 1590 or 1597 – 1629 or 1630) was a leading German Baroque painter of the 17th century, active mainly in Venice.
