De boetvaardige Maria Magdalena before 1585

This is an engraving of the penitent Mary Magdalene. The image presents a woman in contemplation, set against a landscape with a skull and other symbolic objects. The figure of Mary Magdalene has long served as a potent symbol in the Catholic Church, embodying themes of repentance, redemption, and the complex negotiation of female identity. The portrayal of Mary Magdalene is striking because it reimagines a religious figure through the lens of human experience and emotion. She was often presented as either a prostitute or a devoted follower of Christ. It’s worth considering how class and gender shape the narratives we tell. How does society benefit from creating figures like the Magdalene? How can we reconsider her story and, more broadly, the stories of marginalized figures in history? Through her story we are invited to reflect on the ways we judge women.