Maria Magdalena (?) 1580 - 1586

Hendrick Goltzius created this print of Maria Magdalena, or perhaps another female figure, using engraving techniques. In the late 16th century, the Netherlands was undergoing significant religious and political upheaval, with the rise of Protestantism challenging the established Catholic Church. Goltzius, working in this environment, presents a figure shrouded in ambiguity. Is it Mary Magdalene or a commentary on shifting religious identities? The incomplete nature of the engraving adds to this uncertainty, reflecting a society in transition, unsure of its own image. The artist seems to invite interpretation, engaging with the tensions of his time. To fully understand this work, we look into the religious and artistic conventions of the period, discovering much through the study of period theology and Goltzius's contemporaries. Art is a product of its time. Its meaning evolves as the cultural landscape shifts.