Artwork
The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalene
The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalene is a print by the Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1506 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This painting shows Saint Mary Magdalene floating in a dark sky, her arms stretched out.
This painting shows Saint Mary Magdalene floating in a dark sky, her arms stretched out. She’s dressed in rich red and gold, glowing like a dream. Her face looks peaceful, not scared, even though she’s rising up.
Cranach painted her with a smooth, almost perfect body. That was new in 1506. He mixed old legends with fresh ideas about beauty.
Look up Lucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) to see more like this.
Overview
The Ecstasy of Saint Mary Magdalene is a 1506 print by Lucas Cranach the Elder, depicting the saint in a state of divine elevation, characterized by serene facial expression and a luminous, Venus-like physique amidst a dark sky.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates a medieval legend where Mary Magdalene, redeemed through devotion to Christ, is daily lifted by angels to experience heavenly music and visions, symbolizing her transformation and divine beauty.
Technique & Style
Cranach employed a smooth, idealized rendering of the human form, innovatively combining traditional religious themes with Renaissance classical ideals of beauty, as evident in Mary Magdalene's perfected, glowing figure.
History & Provenance
Created in 1506, the print reflects Cranach's early incorporation of Renaissance influences into his work, marking a departure in the artistic portrayal of the saint.
Context
Part of a broader Renaissance trend, the piece shows Cranach's interest in reviving classical aesthetics, applying a Venus-like beauty to a religious figure to personify divine grace.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
