Boetvaardige Maria Magdalena, in profiel 1607 - 1612

Jacob Matham created this engraving titled, "Boetvaardige Maria Magdalena, in profiel," which translates to "Repentant Mary Magdalene, in profile," sometime between 1586 and 1631. Matham made this print in the Netherlands, a place at the time known for its religious tensions and shifting cultural norms. Here, Mary Magdalene is depicted not in the act of sin, but in a state of reflection, symbolized by the skull and the crucifix. Notice how Matham uses the conventions of portraiture, but alters them to convey religious meaning. Her fine clothing and elaborate hairstyle signify her past life, while her gaze directs us to the crucifix, a symbol of redemption through Christian faith. Prints like these were part of the religious and social fabric of the time, used for private devotion but also for public instruction, often endorsed by religious institutions to convey the messages about morality and repentance.