Mary Magdalene (Tzanes)
Mary Magdalene is a tempera painting by Konstantinos Tzanes. Tzanes was a Greek painter active during the late Cretan Renaissance. Tzanes and his brothers migrated from Crete to Venice. His brother was famous painter Emmanuel Tzanes. They were both active during the 17th century. Twenty-one of his paintings survived. Both brothers uniquely contributed to the maniera greca. They made drastic improvements to the style redefining space and color. Their work is comparable to Michael Damaskinos. Mary Magdalene was a subject painted by countless artists both Greek and Italian. She was a notable figure associated with Jesus and the apostles. Her task was to anoint his body after his death. Famous Venetian painter Titian created multiple paintings of Mary Magdalene. Printmaking became extremely popular since the onset of the printing press in the 15th century. Jan Sadeler I was a Renaissance Flemish engraver. He began his career in Antwerp but finally migrated to Venice with his son and brother. He died in the city in 1600. His engravings inspired countless Greek painters namely Theodore Poulakis, Demetrios Stavrakis and Tzanes. His engraving of Mary Magdalene was the framework for Tzanes's painting. Tzanes stayed loyal to the Greek style but integrated the Flemish