The Penitent Magdalene 1670 - 1722

"The Penitent Magdalene" is a 17th-century drawing by Dutch artist Adriaen van der Werff, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The drawing depicts Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus, in a state of sorrow and repentance, shown through her pose and the skull at her feet. The piece exemplifies the Baroque style through its dramatic composition and detailed rendering of the figure. This work, like many of Van der Werff's, showcases his masterful use of line and shading to create a sense of depth and emotion.