Mary Magdalen: Rabboni (Christ Appearing to Mary as a Gardener) - Peter Rollos

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Peter Rollos depicting the biblical encounter between Christ and Mary Magdalene.

This engraving by Peter Rollos depicts the Noli me tangere scene, where the resurrected Christ appears to Mary Magdalene in the guise of a gardener. The composition is based on an original painting by Hans von Aachen, a prominent figure in the Rudolfine court style. Rollos translates the painterly qualities of the original into a series of precise, rhythmic lines, characteristic of early seventeenth-century printmaking techniques. Christ stands to the left, holding a spade, his posture relaxed yet authoritative. His gaze is directed toward Mary, who looks up in recognition, clutching her ointment jar. The background features a distant, rolling hill topped with three crosses, providing a subtle reference to the events of the Crucifixion. The shading is achieved through dense cross-hatching, which creates a sense of volume in the drapery and depth in the surrounding foliage. The tree canopy above frames the figures, drawing the viewer into the intimate exchange between the two subjects. Rollos, who was active in the early 1600s, demonstrates a high level of technical control in this work. The engraving captures the emotional tension of the encounter, balancing the theological weight of the narrative with the naturalistic details of the garden setting. The inscription at the base, 'MARIA: RABBONI', identifies the moment of revelation when Mary recognises her teacher. This print offers a clear example of how Northern European artists adapted Italianate Mannerist influences, blending elongated forms with a meticulous approach to texture and light. It remains a fine specimen of the print culture that circulated religious imagery throughout Europe during the period.