Repenting Magdalene, also called Magdalene in a Flickering Light 1637

"Repenting Magdalene", also known as "Magdalene in a Flickering Light", is a 1637 oil painting by Georges de la Tour. The painting depicts Mary Magdalene in a dimly lit room, illuminated by a single candle. She holds a skull in her lap, a memento mori symbolizing mortality and reminding her of the fleeting nature of life. The stark contrast of light and shadow adds to the painting's dramatic effect, emphasizing the solemnity of the moment. This work is a classic example of tenebrism, a style of painting characterized by strong contrasts of light and dark. The painting has been widely admired for its realistic depiction of Mary Magdalene and its evocative use of light.