Boetvaardige Maria Magdalena 1613 - 1661

Curator: Here we have Jan Gerritsz van Bronckhorst’s “Repentant Magdalen," an engraving created sometime between 1613 and 1661. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. The stark, circular composition immediately caught my attention. Editor: Mine too. It’s quite severe, even austere. The shading, especially the dark backdrop, emphasizes the Magdalene's flesh. It lends a potent physicality to her repentance. Curator: Absolutely. The Magdalene is often portrayed in a state of sorrowful reflection. Her association with both worldly sensuality and spiritual transformation makes her a potent symbol, an emblem of transition from earthly to divine love. Note the skull and crucifix; conventional iconography emphasizing repentance and mortality. Editor: The circular form also contributes; it almost acts as a lens focusing us intently on her emotional state, isolating her internal struggle, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Precisely! The closed form heightens the sense of intimacy and contemplation, shutting out the material world and all its temptations. And considering Bronckhorst's time, there is a complex dialogue between his style and prevailing Protestant views. Editor: Yes, although made with an etching, its tonal range and controlled use of line suggests a disciplined engagement with the possibilities afforded by this new, reproductive medium, typical of its Baroque style. I think the artist created it in a way that could easily travel for dissemination; there’s a feeling of restrained elegance at play. Curator: Interesting thought! Well, this image certainly exemplifies the intricate dance between the sensual and spiritual impulses found within human experience, offering its own perspective. Editor: It reminds me to be careful to interpret form as mere decoration without considering its potential function to shape meaning.