Design for a sepulchral monument with Mary Magdalen and Saint Jerome; verso: Sketch (counterproof) and writing exercises 1686 - 1724

This is a pen and brown ink wash drawing for a sepulchral monument with Mary Magdalen and Saint Jerome, made by Pieter Verbruggen the Younger in the latter half of the 17th century. Consider the historical backdrop: the Catholic Counter-Reformation, which heavily influenced artistic themes and encouraged emotional engagement with religious subjects. Verbruggen, living in Antwerp, was part of a society steeped in religious tradition. The monument's design places Mary Magdalen, a figure often associated with repentance, alongside Saint Jerome, a scholar who translated the Bible, both in postures of mourning. This pairing invites reflection on sin, redemption, and knowledge. The sketch underscores the performative aspect of grief and piety, central to religious life in the 17th century. The figures are rendered to evoke empathy. How does the artist use their bodies to convey humility and sorrow? The monument serves as a stage for the drama of faith, reflecting the cultural values of the time and shaping societal views on morality and spirituality.