Michelangelo first moved to
The Pietá is one of the most beautiful sculptures made by anyone, anywhere, ever. When he finished it, Michelangelo was only 24 years old. He would live and work for another 65 years.
There is a sash across Mary’s chest. Shortly after he finished the Pietá, Michelangelo heard someone say that another man had sculpted it. In response, Michelangelo carved his name on Mary’s sash. The Pietá is the only sculpture he ever signed.
The Pietá is a statue of Mary holding the body of her son Jesus after he died. Mary is young and beautiful. Michelangelo made her that way because he believed her good soul kept her body from aging.
The body of Jesus shows marks where he was hurt. His face, however, is at peace. Michelangelo made him that way because he believed Jesus was very special to God. He wanted the face of Jesus to show this.
There was nothing like this sculpture before. There has been little like it since.
Once, while being moved, the fingers of Mary’s left hand were broken off. These were restored in 1736.
In 1972 a man attacked Mary with a hammer. He even broke off her nose. A lot of hard work was needed to restore her.
The Pietá is now kept safe behind thick glass. It may be seen in the Basilica of
Copyright © 2012 by Steven Farsaci. All rights reserved. Fair use encouraged.