Fotoreproductie van het schilderij De boetvaardige Maria Magdalena door Correggio before 1875

This is an undated photograph of Correggio's painting "The Repentant Mary Magdalene," now at the Rijksmuseum. The photograph captures the painting’s soft chiaroscuro, where light and shadow define form and evoke a sense of intimacy. Consider how the photographer uses the tonal range to model the figure of Magdalene. She's depicted reclining, her form a study in curves and soft edges. Note how the light falls across her bare shoulder, drawing our eye to her face. The book she holds is rendered with sharp clarity, contrasting with the hazy background. This highlights her intellectual and spiritual contemplation. The photograph is more than a mere reproduction; it is an interpretation. It invites us to consider the play between visibility and concealment, knowledge and faith. It uses formal elements to explore themes of penitence and transformation.