The Elevation of the Magdalen
Peter Strüb the Younger (Master of Messkirch)
16th century
Tempera on panel
The Bergmann Richards Memorial Fund and the Fiduciary Fund
Strüb and his contemporaries during the German
RENAISSANCE sought to
IDEALIZE
their subjects. They believed that artists should
strive to represent perfection even if that perfection was absent in real nature. How has Strüb idealized his subject? Clue: The story
of Mary Magdalene tells us she lived in a cave for 30 years before angels daily lifted her toward heaven! Does Mary look as if she
lived in a cave for 30 years in this painting? Why not?
Think
During the Middle Ages, Mary Magdalene served as a reminder to Catholics that every one may be forgiven. Have you ever regretted
anything you have done? Were you forgiven? How? What happened? Have you ever forgiven someone else?
Strüb painted Mary in a German landscape rather than the landscape of southern France, where she lived, according to this myth.
Why might he have done this?Although we don't know for sure, Strüb may not have known the landscape of southern France. He also may have wanted to associate
his homeland with a holy event.
During the Middle Ages, many people looked to the saints as behavioral role models. Who are your role models? Do pictures of your
role models exist? Where?