Hans Rottenhammer (1564-1624) - Holy Madeleine

The Bavarian painter Hans Rottenhammer is particularly famous for his small-scale paintings.
Our copper, of Venetian inspiration, depicts a naked Saint Magdalene with her vanity attributes: the skull, symbolising fading beauty, and the vase of perfume used to anoint Christ's feet by Simon the Pharisee. The Cross and the open Bible express his vow of penance, indicating the path to follow to obtain eternal life. Under his left hand, the presence of a discipline (a small whip made of hemp) completes this panoply intended for repentance.
The small navy in the background makes our work particularly atypical. Indeed, it is rare to see representations of Saint Magdalene in such a landscape.