Martha and Magdalen Ascending the Steps of the Temple 1550 - 1570

Georg Matheus created this artwork, *Martha and Magdalen Ascending the Steps of the Temple*, using woodcut as his medium. The composition immediately strikes you with its dynamic arrangement of figures and architectural elements, all rendered in contrasting tones. The contrast creates a textured surface that invites tactile exploration. Here, the artist uses the structure of the temple steps not only as a physical setting but also as a symbolic representation of hierarchy and access to knowledge. The figures are carefully placed, with Martha and Magdalen presented in a way that emphasizes their active engagement with the teachings being imparted. Note the linear perspective; it directs our gaze towards the central figures and the temple. The architecture provides a structured backdrop, juxtaposing human emotion and divine wisdom. The temple, with its geometric precision, serves as a signifier of order and spiritual enlightenment, contrasting with the more fluid and emotive gestures of the figures. Ultimately, this woodcut functions as a semiotic system. The forms of the bodies, the construction of the temple, and the arrangement of figures—all come together to create a narrative, inviting continuous reinterpretation.