Hemelvaart van Maria Magdalena 1782

Adam von Bartsch made this drawing, "Ascension of Mary Magdalene" in pen and brown ink, sometime before 1821; it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The upward surge of Mary Magdalene, buoyed by angels and clouds, immediately captures the eye. The composition is Baroque in its dynamism. Lines curve and figures spiral upwards, enhanced by soft brown washes that give volume and depth. This arrangement is not just decorative; it signifies a spiritual ascent, breaking from the earthly plane. The use of chiaroscuro—contrasting light and shadow—emphasizes the figures' forms and amplifies the drama. The stark contrast in tone pushes the boundaries of pictorial space, creating a sense of boundlessness. The subject itself—a saint's ascension—destabilizes our understanding of physical limitations. Bartsch uses the formal elements of the artwork to engage with ideas of the sublime, challenging the viewer to consider the limits of human potential and perception. The artwork invites a perpetual re-evaluation of its meaning.