Maria Magdalena bij het graf van Christus 1622

Giovanni Battista Pasqualini created this print, "Maria Magdalena bij het graf van Christus", sometime between 1585 and 1634. Observe how the stark contrast and meticulously etched lines bring forth a scene laden with grief and ethereal presence. The composition directs our gaze from the sorrowful figure of Mary Magdalene to the hovering angels, creating a visual dialogue between earthly suffering and divine intervention. Pasqualini masterfully employs line to construct both form and emotion. The dense, cross-hatched shadows articulate Magdalene’s despair, contrasting with the lighter, more open lines defining the angels. Semiotically, the objects—crown of thorns, tomb, and the figures themselves—act as signs within a well-established religious narrative. Yet, Pasqualini's formal treatment destabilizes conventional interpretations through the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Notice how the stark lines and shading aren't just representational but operate on an abstract, expressive level. Pasqualini's work underscores how printmaking could challenge and deepen spiritual understanding, prompting viewers to reconsider established meanings.