Mary Magdalen Transported by Four Angels

An unknown, probably Bavarian artist relied only on line to create gradations of light and shadow on the dark ground on this sheet. To model and form the outlines of the angels, he unified the drawing with a wide range of hatching and cross-hatching. Black and white strokes create the fluttering wings and drapery of the angels and Mary Magdalene's flowing curls. Cross-hatchings shape the substantive parts: Mary's softly rounded belly, muscular legs, and glistening forehead.

The artist also exploited the brilliance and luminosity of the white bodycolor heightening by applying it to a darkened paper. The simple linear effect of the drawing, with shading created through hatched lines, creates an effect similar to an engraving or woodcut.

Digital image and text courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program.