The Penitent Magdalen
The Met
Artist: Georges de La Tour(French, Vic-sur-Seille 1593–1652 Lunéville)
Date: ca. 1640
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 52 1/2 x 40 1/4 in. (133.4 x 102.2 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1978
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A woman in profile, holding a skull, illuminated by candlelight reflecting in a mirror
Detailed Description
The image depicts a woman seated in a dimly lit interior, seen in profile facing right. She occupies the left half of the vertical composition. Her head is covered by a dark veil or hair, and she wears a loose-fitting white garment with wide sleeves, cinched at the waist by a red sash or drape that extends over her lap and legs. Her hands are clasped over a human skull resting on her lap or a surface in front of her. To the right of the woman, on a dark surface, stands an ornate, rectangular gold-framed mirror. The mirror reflects two lit candles, their flames appearing as elongated, bright vertical streaks against the dark background within the frame. One candle is visible on a dark, turned wooden candlestick directly in front of the mirror, while the other is only seen as a reflection. The overall lighting is dramatic, with a strong light source, likely the candles, illuminating the woman's face, hands, and the white fabric of her dress, creating deep shadows elsewhere. The background is almost entirely dark, with only faint hints of a wall or corner. In the lower right foreground, a few small, dark objects, possibly pieces of jewelry or chains, are scattered on the dark surface. The dominant colors are deep browns and blacks, contrasted by the bright white of the woman's dress, the red of her drape, and the golden glow of the candle flames and mirror frame.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
