Portret van Maria Magdalena 1833 - 1885

Frédérique O'Connell-Miethe rendered this small etching entitled "Portret van Maria Magdalena" in the 19th century. The image is dominated by dense, dark lines that form the figure of Mary Magdalene. Her face emerges from a sea of shadow, a stark contrast creating a deeply emotional tone. The composition is tightly focused, drawing us into the raw vulnerability of the subject. O'Connell-Miethe employs a structural technique through a network of intricate lines, almost like a web that captures the figure's essence. This formal element invites a semiotic reading, the lines acting as signs that converge to signify not just a portrait but also a psychological state. Notice how the artist challenges traditional representation; the figure appears unfinished, raw. This destabilization of conventional form allows us to ponder the nature of portraiture itself. The etching's power lies in its ability to evoke empathy through the structural tension between light and shadow. The starkness emphasizes emotional depth and suggests a broader meditation on suffering and redemption.