Repenting Magdalene, also called Magdalene before Mirror or Magadalene Fabius. 1630

Georges de la Tour's 1630 painting *Repenting Magdalene*, also known as *Magdalene before Mirror* or *Magdalene Fabius*, depicts Mary Magdalene, a figure from the New Testament, in a moment of contemplation and repentance. The painting utilizes chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and shadow, to illuminate the figure of Magdalene and her surroundings. The dramatic lighting emphasizes the skull, a traditional symbol of mortality, and a reflection in a mirror behind her, potentially symbolizing her own reflection and the potential for redemption. This poignant portrayal of the biblical figure exemplifies de la Tour’s mastery of Caravaggism, a style of painting that employed dramatic lighting and realism.