Portrait of a Saxon noblewoman as Mary Magdalene 1525

Lucas Cranach the Elder painted this portrait of a Saxon noblewoman as Mary Magdalene in the early 16th century. Cranach was court painter in Wittenberg, in the electorate of Saxony, and a close friend of Martin Luther. This painting, therefore, represents a key moment of social change during the Reformation. As court painter, Cranach produced images that reflected the values of the Reformation, and this portrait is a prime example of how art could be used to promote a new religious and social order. The figure is clearly a wealthy woman, but she is dressed as Mary Magdalene, a repentant sinner. This juxtaposition challenges the traditional social hierarchy, suggesting that even the wealthy must repent and seek forgiveness. The historical context and political meaning of this work is made clearer when we consider its connection with the Reformation's emphasis on individual faith and the rejection of indulgences and other forms of corruption. To fully understand this artwork, one might consult church records, pamphlets and sermons from the period to gain further insight into the religious and social context in which it was created.