The Penitent Magdalene 1670 - 1722

Editor: We are looking at “The Penitent Magdalene,” a drawing in ink, pencil and grey wash on paper, made by Adriaen van der Werff between 1670 and 1722. It's held at the Met in New York. There's a figure and a skull... the use of light and shadow definitely creates a somber mood. How do you interpret the symbolism here? Curator: The skull immediately draws our attention. Throughout art history, and especially within the Baroque period, it functions as a memento mori – a reminder of mortality, and the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures. Consider, too, the unfinished sketch of the figure. What memories and interpretations does it unlock, juxtaposed with the fully realized form? Editor: That’s interesting… it feels like two stages of life represented – the sketch being the past and the shaded figure being the present? Curator: Precisely! Think of the Magdalene herself: in Christian iconography, she embodies repentance and transformation. Her beauty, traditionally associated with vanity, is here presented alongside the instruments of penance and mortality. Does this juxtaposition of the beautiful woman, skull and a sacred text ignite other ideas for you? Editor: I suppose it’s a contrast of physical beauty and spiritual contemplation... Maybe an allegory for seeking something beyond appearances? Curator: Indeed. Van der Werff utilizes established visual symbols to encourage deeper reflection on the viewers. The partially sketched Magdalene further suggests the potential for transformation. Her journey becomes an invitation for the viewers’ self-reflection. What does the figure turning her gaze downwards mean for you? Editor: I didn't consider the direction of her gaze… maybe she’s literally turning away from past sins. Thanks! It is so clever of the artist to layer so much cultural meaning into one image! Curator: And it is amazing how symbols continue to acquire resonance with us across time. The image becomes a memory device for viewers even today.