The Penitent Magdalen (Vanitas) 

Jusepe de Ribera's "The Penitent Magdalen (Vanitas)" is a striking portrayal of Mary Magdalene in a moment of contemplation. Depicted in the Baroque style, the painting features a young woman with a skull in her lap. The skull, a symbol of mortality, serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. Ribera's use of chiaroscuro, a technique of contrasting light and shadow, adds dramatic depth to the composition. The focus on the woman's pensive expression emphasizes her spiritual devotion and the sobering reminder of her own mortality.