Mary Magdalen Penitent 1606 - 1688

This is Joachim von Sandrart’s red chalk drawing, "Mary Magdalen Penitent." Sandrart, a German Baroque artist, lived through the tumultuous years of the Thirty Years' War, a conflict deeply rooted in religious and political tensions. Here, Mary Magdalene is depicted in a state of repentance, a common theme in Counter-Reformation art where she kneels in a desolate landscape, contemplating a skull. The work invites reflection on themes of sin, redemption, and the transient nature of life. During the 17th century, the figure of Mary Magdalene was often used to explore ideas about female sexuality and spirituality, reflecting the period’s complex attitudes towards women. There is a tension in the image, between the sensuality of Magdalene’s exposed shoulder, and her piety, the skull symbolizing her renunciation of earthly pleasures. It prompts us to consider the historical representations of women and the varied roles they occupied – from objects of desire to symbols of spiritual devotion.