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Overview
Crispijn van de Passe (c. 1564-1637) was the founder of a dynasty of engravers, who worked in Antwerp, Utrecht, Amsterdam and finally Cologne - where this print was made. This highly emotional, devotional Catholic print comes from a series of five plus a title-page, entitled 'Holy Women', published in the opening years of the 17th century. An engraving with etching, it depicts the beautiful Mary Magdalene in the wilderness, in an attitude of devout contemplation, with a crucifix in her left hand, and her right nursing a skull. No doubt the deceased Jesus is in the forefront of her mind. The print has been trimmed, a common if regrettable historical practice, with the original devotional Latin inscription removed, as was the signature and place of publication either side of the oval. It is part of the collection of Old Master prints in the so-called King George IV album, acquired by the Dominion Museum in 1910.
See: British Museum Collection online, https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1554243&partId= 1&searchText=Crispijn+de+passe+mary+magdalene&page=1
Dr Mark Stocker Curator, Historical International Art April 2019