Maria Magdalena

2018, oil on canvas, 80x60 cm /// Kalvis Zālītis (1976) is a contemporary Latvian artist who mainly works in Photorealism manner with a refined individual style of expression which appears in both in technique and in the symbol-rich thematic that is proceed in the paintings. Composition is saturated with sensuality. In the artwork is depicted a scandalous and ambiguous image of the Christian world Maria Magdalene. The viewer is metaphorically connected to this image only by the title of the painting leaving ample scope for personal interpretations. No traditional attributes or actions associated with Maria Magdalene are depicted. The painting amaze with the technical execution. The brushstrokes are invisible, the painting’s surface is smoothed and obtain a matte and velvety texture. From the ambient dark and deep background emerges a majestic and mysterious image of a woman whose gaze deliberately is not directed straight at the viewer which intensifies the enigmatic atmosphere. Strong contrasts of dark and light are used, light and shades make the image three-dimensional and alive thus achieving a unique optical effect. /// The artist's signature and date are on the lower right side of the painting.