Mary Magdalene 

Gabriel von Max painted this image of Mary Magdalene sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Von Max lived during a time of significant shifts in European society, as traditional religious beliefs were being questioned by new scientific and philosophical ideas. This painting encourages a sense of intimacy with its subject, departing from more traditional representations of Mary Magdalene. Her face is tilted downward, her expression reflective, and the folds of her white dress and blue shawl are simply rendered. The artist seems to be considering Mary Magdalene as an individual marked by the experience of grief. Her famed, long hair cascades in a golden waterfall, almost enveloping her. Mary Magdalene has been interpreted in different ways throughout history, often embodying a sense of female sexuality and spirituality. Here, von Max invites us to relate to her on a human level. The painting is a reflection of the ongoing dialogue between personal faith and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.