Hans Rottenhammer - Saint Mary Magdalene

The Bavarian painter Hans Rottenhammer is particularly known for his small-format paintings. Our copper, inspired by Venice, depicts a naked Saint Magdalene, accompanied by her attributes of vanity: the skull, symbol of ephemeral beauty, and the vase of perfume used to anoint Christ's feet at Simon the Pharisee's. The presence of the cross and the open Bible testify to her vow of penance, indicating the path to eternal life. Under her left hand, an instrument of discipline (a small hemp whip) completes this ensemble dedicated to repentance. The singular element of this composition lies in the small seascape in the background, which gives the work a particularly atypical character. Indeed, it is rare to observe representations of Saint Magdalene in such a landscape.