Christus verschijnt aan Maria Magdalena 1723 - 1782

Lodewijk Joseph Fruytiers created this small, undated print, illustrating Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene. Observe the radiant halo emanating from Christ, a symbol of divine illumination, contrasting sharply with Mary's hunched, earthbound posture, indicating human frailty and grief. This halo, a visual echo of ancient solar deities, reappears across millennia, from early Christian mosaics to Renaissance paintings, always signifying transcendence. Similarly, the gesture of supplication, seen in Mary's pose, can be traced back to pre-Christian votive offerings. These repeated motifs are not mere aesthetic choices but powerful conveyors of collective memory. Consider, too, the subtle emotional charge here. Mary’s grief, palpable in her bowed head and outstretched hands, evokes a primal scene of loss and recognition. This is not just a biblical story; it’s a projection of humanity's deepest fears and hopes. And so, the artist evokes a non-linear, cyclical progression, as this scene has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.