Design for a sepulchral monument with Mary Magdalen and Saint Jerome; verso: Sketch (counterproof) and writing exercises 1686 - 1724

This pen and ink drawing by Pieter Verbruggen the Younger, dated between 1686 and 1724, is a design for a sepulchral monument depicting Mary Magdalen and Saint Jerome kneeling in prayer. The drawing, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to Verbruggen’s skill in creating intricate and evocative designs for religious monuments. The monument, as envisioned by Verbruggen, would have featured a central basin and a dramatic, swirling, and ornate frame, which are rendered in a bold and expressive style. The figures of Mary Magdalen and Saint Jerome are executed in a more realistic and detailed manner, showcasing the artist's talent for capturing the emotional intensity of religious figures in prayer. The overall design of the monument is a compelling blend of Baroque ornamentation and classic religious iconography, making it a compelling example of 17th-century Dutch art.