Christ Appearing to the Magdalen

1480–90

Christ Appearing to the Magdalen, 1480–90. Martin Schongauer (German, c.1450–1491). Engraving; sheet: 15.9 x 15.9 cm (6 1/4 x 6 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Fanny Tewksbury King Collection 1956.743 According to the Gospel of John, right after his resurrection, Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene, who had come to anoint his body at his tomb. At first, she mistook Christ for a gardener. When he revealed himself, he said to Magdalene, "Noli me tangere" (Touch me not) and invited her to inform the apostles that he was ascending to his Father. Schongauer conveys the emotion and surprise of the Magdalen by showing her drapery flying behind her in the wind. The type of fence shown in this print is called wattle fencing, a type known since antiquity and used primarily to contain livestock during the late Middle Ages when this print was made.