Mary Magdalen Annointing the Feet of Christ 1570 - 1573

Raffaellino da Reggio created this drawing of Mary Magdalen anointing the feet of Christ in Italy, sometime in the mid-16th century. The scene depicts a moment of profound humility and devotion, but it also speaks volumes about the social dynamics of the time. Consider the role of women in the 16th century. Mary Magdalen, a figure of both sin and redemption, challenges the rigid social structures of the time. Her act of anointing Christ's feet, a task usually reserved for servants, disrupts the established order. The male figures at the table look on with various expressions, perhaps reflecting the societal discomfort with such displays of female piety and transgression of social norms. To fully understand this drawing, we must delve into the religious and social history of the period. By examining contemporary texts, sermons, and social commentaries, we can gain insight into the complex attitudes towards women, religion, and social class that shaped Raffaellino's artistic vision. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum, it speaks to and is shaped by its cultural context.