Lucas cranach the elder, the greatest german artist of the 16th century after albrecht dürer, painted several small images of beguiling young women-often superficially justified by a moral association for the private enjoyment of his aristocratic male patrons. Indeed, this attractive young woman in rich attire sends mixed signals. Her hair hangs loosely, so she is a not married woman, whose hair would be discretely controlled. In a formal portrait, this would indicate that she is a virgin. However, she engages the viewer directly with an unabashed gaze and an expression suggesting familiarity. This would be inappropriate for an unmarried woman of a respectable family. Her gold jewelry and velvet dress is fashionable, but she wears no high-necked blouse under it. This provocative young woman could be mary magdalene, often said to have been a prostitute before she met christ. Object Type: painting. Genre: religious art. Date: circa 1525 (Renaissance). Place of creation: Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Dimensions: height: 36.3 cm (14.2 in) ; width: 25.7 cm (10.1 in). Medium: oil on panel. Depicted People: Mary Magdalene. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Lucas Cranach the elder - Mary Magdalene (?) - Walters 37269
Loading...
