Michelangelo, Pietà, 1499St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
Happy Easter, Bishes!!! Keeping with the Easter theme, this is one of the world's most famous sculptures based on the subject. The Pietà (Pity) depicts the body of Christ being cradled by his mother after it was removed from the cross (Deposition). Michelangelo sculpted this theme three times over the course of his career. This was the first version, completed when he was 25 (!!!) and the only sculpture to bear his autograph (of sorts).
Commissioned by a French Cardinal, the subject matter was not common in Rome at the time and caused a storm of wonder when it was unveiled. According to Vasari, when the sculpture was first displayed in the Chapel of the Madonna della Febbre, Michelangelo overheard some visitors from Lombardy attributing the work to Cristoforo Solari, a sculptor from Milan. He then locked himself in the chapel overnight and proceeded to carve his name on the band across the Virgin's chest. Get your facts right, incorrect tourists!
In 1972, the Pietà was attacked by a deranged geologist with a hammer, damaging Mary's face and particularly the nose which was never recovered. Some opportunistic tourist probably has it somewhere on their bookshelf or in their attic. Anyway, the work is now kept behind bulletproof glass, resulting in many blurry tourist photos (including my own).
Commissioned by a French Cardinal, the subject matter was not common in Rome at the time and caused a storm of wonder when it was unveiled. According to Vasari, when the sculpture was first displayed in the Chapel of the Madonna della Febbre, Michelangelo overheard some visitors from Lombardy attributing the work to Cristoforo Solari, a sculptor from Milan. He then locked himself in the chapel overnight and proceeded to carve his name on the band across the Virgin's chest. Get your facts right, incorrect tourists!
In 1972, the Pietà was attacked by a deranged geologist with a hammer, damaging Mary's face and particularly the nose which was never recovered. Some opportunistic tourist probably has it somewhere on their bookshelf or in their attic. Anyway, the work is now kept behind bulletproof glass, resulting in many blurry tourist photos (including my own).
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