Miserere mei Deus (Penitent Magdalene) - Robert Strange

A fine eighteenth-century engraving by Robert Strange after Guido Reni, depicting the Penitent Magdalene in a moment of spiritual devotion.

This engraving by Robert Strange reproduces a painting by the Italian Baroque master Guido Reni. The subject is the Penitent Magdalene, depicted in a moment of spiritual reflection. Her gaze is directed upward, and her expression conveys a sense of sorrow and supplication, reflected in the Latin title Miserere mei Deus, which translates to Have mercy on me, O God. She holds a string of pearls, a traditional attribute of the Magdalene, while an ointment jar and an open book rest on the table before her.

Robert Strange was a highly skilled engraver who travelled extensively in Italy to study the works of the Old Masters. His technique is characterised by a refined use of line and cross-hatching to create volume and texture, particularly in the heavy folds of the Magdalene's drapery. The print demonstrates the precision and technical control that earned Strange a reputation as one of the finest engravers of the eighteenth century. The composition is balanced, with the figure of the Magdalene occupying the centre, framed by a soft, atmospheric light that emanates from above.

This specific print includes a formal dedication to the Princess Dowager of Wales, a common practice for engravers seeking patronage and recognition during the period. The inscription at the base provides historical context, noting that the original painting was held in the collection of Roger Harenc. The work serves as an example of how eighteenth-century printmakers disseminated the aesthetics of the Italian Baroque to a wider British audience. The monochromatic palette and the focus on emotional narrative are typical of the period's interest in classical themes and religious iconography. The print remains a clear record of Strange's ability to translate the painterly qualities of Reni's work into the precise, linear medium of copperplate engraving.