De boetvaardige Maria Magdalena en haar tenhemelopneming 1609 - 1658

Curator: This engraving, crafted between 1609 and 1658, depicts ‘The Penitent Mary Magdalene and her Ascension’. It's attributed to Christoffel van Sichem II. Editor: My first impression is of deep contrasts. The stark lines of the engraving give it an almost graphic quality, but the subject… it’s yearning, spiritual, melancholic. It feels so intensely private, yet its story has resonated through centuries. Curator: Indeed. The image reflects the Baroque fascination with drama and emotion, but seen through a Northern lens. Magdalene’s posture—eyes uplifted, hands raised—conveys intense supplication. Her traditional symbols, like the ointment jar, skull, and flora are present, of course. These objects represent both her past life and the path of spiritual transformation. Editor: The skull's a great touch. It brings this confrontation with mortality into focus – Magdalene's journey, mirrored against our own inevitable end. The upward gaze feels staged, but not without a deep human emotion… is it hope, or an echo of past errors? Curator: It's both! Look above; you'll notice angels descending. This composition captures the two states simultaneously – penitence on Earth and divine acceptance from above. The surrounding landscape emphasizes her withdrawal from worldly life. Remember, Magdalene becomes a hermit in later accounts. It is also crucial to see her image as reflecting and perpetuating early modern Christian European attitudes to sin and redemption through the female form. Editor: A hermit’s life in vibrant, flourishing surroundings... It’s fascinating that this artist chose to display an ideal landscape instead of something barren and desolate. It emphasizes inner transformation rather than external struggle, perhaps. The upward momentum in this small print, that stark contrast of the figure anchored in a full, material world reaching towards salvation, has such a peculiar emotional charge. Curator: Van Sichem successfully captures that duality, echoing the broader Baroque style with that exact contrast you mentioned: earth and heaven, sin and redemption, all coexisting within a single frame. Editor: Absolutely, that’s what’s so compelling about it. It’s this quiet moment—etched in ink—capturing an incredibly powerful and timeless internal drama. Curator: A fine testament to the enduring power of symbols, even within a small engraving like this.