The Magdalene 1887

"The Magdalene" is a drawing by Belgian artist James Ensor, created in 1887. The artwork portrays a seated woman, likely Mary Magdalene, with her back to the viewer. She wears a flowing red robe and gazes upward towards a stormy sky. The composition utilizes loose, expressive lines and a muted color palette, reminiscent of Ensor's symbolist style. The work's subject matter and symbolism invite viewers to consider themes of faith, redemption, and the complexities of the human condition.