Mary Magdalene at the Door of Simon the Pharisee – Compositional Study 

This is Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s compositional study for ‘Mary Magdalene at the Door of Simon the Pharisee.’ Rossetti, positioned within the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, was deeply engaged in the Victorian era's re-evaluation of women’s roles, spirituality, and morality. Rossetti here reimagines Mary Magdalene, challenging the conventional image of her as a repentant sinner. She is depicted with an arresting gaze that seems to pierce through social barriers and expectations, as if questioning her prescribed role. Rossetti drew from biblical narratives and his own artistic license. The sketch invites us to consider the complexities of female identity and spiritual awakening. Rossetti asks us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in religious narratives and the potential for female figures to embody both sensuality and spiritual depth. It's a poignant visual exploration of a woman on the cusp of transformation, set against the rigid structures of her time.