Mary Magdalen

Conveying a bold sensuality, Mary Magdalen directs a sultry glance at the viewer. Her topknot seems to allude to her former lifestyle, it is worn by other sinful women such as Venus and Eve. In stark contrast to the rich color effects of the Magdalen's ravishing attire stands the white, porcelain-like skin of her face and hands, which gives the appearance of a highly polished surface. Gossaert became increasingly interested in such deliberate references to marble sculpture toward the end of his career. Highly stylized and Mannerist, the figure is far removed from an earlier depiction of the Ma... Mehr ...