Boetvaardige H. Maria Magdalena 1626 - 1676

This print, Boetvaardige H. Maria Magdalena, was made by an anonymous artist. The technique used here is engraving, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. The image shows Mary Magdalene in repentance, complete with symbolic objects. Notice the skull, the cross, and the ointment jar that refers to the Bible story of the anointing of Jesus. The engraver translated a complex scene, including human figure, drapery, and landscape, into a vocabulary of sharply defined lines. Light and shadow are rendered through hatching, a system of fine parallel lines, and cross-hatching for darker areas. Making an engraving is a highly skilled practice. While the design might have been copied from a painting, the engraver had to have deep knowledge of their materials and tools. They used chisels to translate the rich texture of the world into linear form. Appreciating the art of engraving means understanding the labor and technical skill required to create such intricate detail. It reminds us that art is not just about the image, but also about the transformative act of making.