Michelangelo
basilica, in the 18th century.
This famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion.
The theme is of Northern origin, popular in France but not yet in Italy. It is an important work as it
balances the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism. The statue is one of the most
highly finished works by Michelangelo
The structure is pyramidal, and the vertex coincides with Mary's head. The statue widens
progressively down the drapery of the Virgin's dress, to the base, the rock of Golgotha.
The figures are quite out of proportion, owing to the difficulty of depicting a fully-grown man cradled
full-length in a woman's lap. Much of the Virgin's body is concealed by her monumental drapery, and
the relationship of the figures appears quite natural.
The Pietà's first home was the Chapel of Santa Petronilla. The chapel was later demolished by
Bramante during his rebuilding of the basilica.
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