The Magdalen c. 17th century

Paolo Farinati's etching presents us with Mary Magdalen, her halo radiating, set against a backdrop featuring a crucifix. The crucifix, of course, is a potent symbol, representing sacrifice and redemption deeply embedded in the Christian narrative, a visual shorthand for the story of Christ's suffering and salvation. But consider the Magdalen herself. Here, she embodies repentance and spiritual awakening, common in 16th-century Counter-Reformation art. We see this motif echoed across centuries, in depictions of saints and biblical figures, all wrestling with inner turmoil. The halo that crowns her, though a sign of sanctity, bears a striking resemblance to the sun disk in ancient Egyptian art. It is as though these forms, so rich with symbolic meaning, undergo a metamorphosis, reappearing across time and cultures. This reveals our human tendency to project our fears and desires onto the world, to imbue certain images and symbols with an almost totemic power. These images resurface, carrying with them the echoes of past experiences, fears, and aspirations in an endless return.