The Pietà, St. Peter's Basilica
The Pietà is a Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. The statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères, who was a representative in Rome and was created from 1498–1499.
Interesting facts:
- Michelangelo was only 23 when he created this amazing statute.
- The "Pieta" is the only Michelangelo artwork bearing the artist's name. He added it after overhearing a viewer misidentify the work as being that of another artist.
- Four fingers on Mary's left were broken and restored in 1736.
- In May 1972, Laszlo Toth damaged the "Pieta" with a hammer. The entire restoration took about 10 months. After repair work was complete, the Vatican had the marble statue encased in a triple layer of bulletproof glass.
This is one of my favorite pieces of art and St. Peters Basilica is the perfect place for it. Such a peaceful awe that came over me as I approached the statue. The beauty is indescribable, the marble is so smooth, the folds in the cloth, the lifeless body of Christ, the sorrow in the face of Mary, all show the attention to detail.
I'd love to hear if you have seen the Pietà or know any interesting facts about the sculpture.
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