Boetvaardige H. Maria Magdalena 1609

Willem van Swanenburg made this engraving of the Penitent St. Mary Magdalene around 1609. Look at the theatricality of the image, how Mary Magdalene is depicted in a state of religious ecstasy, gazing heavenward. The Northern Netherlands, where Swanenburg worked, was undergoing significant social and religious upheaval at this time. The Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule had led to a more Calvinist society where public displays of religious emotion were frowned upon. However, Catholic artists continued to produce devotional images for private patrons or export to other countries. The presence of the skull, the crucifix and the ointment jar are common symbols of repentance. The cultural context provides insight into why Swanenburg chose to depict Magdalene in this way. The formal references to the italianate style can be understood by looking at the history of the Leiden workshop where Swanenburg trained. By considering the social and institutional contexts in which art is made, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance. Art historians use a range of primary and secondary sources, from archival documents to contemporary publications, to reconstruct the world in which art was created and consumed.