The Worldly Life of Mary Magdalene

About this artwork

In een landschap danst Maria Magdalena met een man op de muziek van een fluitspeler en trommelaar. Rechtsvoor twee minnende paren, zittend op de grond. In landschap op de achtergrond Maria Magdalena te paard tijdens de jacht en in de lucht de hemelvaart van Maria Magdalena, omgeven door vier engelen.

Art Historical Context

**The Worldly Life of Magdalene** (1519) is a masterful engraving by Lucas van Ley, a Dutch Renaissance prodigy renowned for his intricate prints that rivaled the detail of paintings. Measuring 292 × 398 mm, this captures a lively landscape scene: Mary Magdalene dances sensually with a man to the tune of a flutist and drummer, while two amorous couples recline nearby on the ground. In the background, she appears on horseback during a hunt, and above, her heavenly ascension unfolds amid four angels—a vivid contrast between earthly indulgence and spiritual redemption. Van Leyden, active in Leid...

About the Artist

Lucas van Leyden · 1484–1533

Lucas van Leyden (1494–1533) was a Dutch painter and printmaker who stands among the greatest engravers of the Northern Renaissance. Born in Leiden as either Lucas Hugensz or Lucas Jacobsz, he lived and worked primarily in his native city, achieving international renown that rivaled the German master Albrecht Dürer. Lucas van Leyden revolutionized Netherlandish printmaking and was among the first...