Artwork preview

The Magdalene

Elihu Vedder

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a person seated on a dark surface in a curled position with their knees drawn up to their chest and head bowed down, resting on their knees. The person's facial features are obscured, and their long hair falls over their face and back. The person's body is in muted tones blending with the surroundings. They appear nude and covered by a stylized fabric that merges with the environment. Small objects resembling cups or containers are near the person. The background shows a natural outdoor scene with bare trees, rolling hills, and a sky with streaks of color suggesting dawn or dusk.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1884
Medium
crayon, gouache, gold paint, and graphite over silver gelatin developed-out print mounted to board
Dimensions
4218 × 3397 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original