Allegory of the Magdalene's Salvation c. 18th century

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we find Johann Josef Waldmann’s “Allegory of the Magdalene's Salvation.” Look at this detailed drawing! Editor: It feels turbulent, almost theatrical, with all the figures swirling upwards. Curator: Indeed. Consider the material—pen and black ink, gray wash over graphite—and the labor involved in such intricacy. What was its function? Was this drawing a preparatory study for a painting, or a finished work in its own right? Editor: I am interested in how this image functions as part of the broader visual culture surrounding the Magdalene. The church clearly played a role in promoting imagery of redemption and salvation. Curator: Absolutely. Analyzing Waldmann's drawing requires us to consider both artistic skill and the social structures that gave it meaning. Editor: In a way, viewing this drawing helps us understand the power of art to shape belief. Curator: And the skilled labor needed to make such compelling visions visible.