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Home / Visiting the Vatican City & Holy See /

Michelangelo’s Pieta

Written by: Kate Zusmann

Michelangelo's Pieta Saint Peter’s Basilica Vatican
Opening Hours
Monday: 7:00 AM - 7:10 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 7:10 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 7:10 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:10 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 7:10 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 7:10 PM
Recommended tour
Closest bus stops
Cavalleggeri/S. Pietro4 min 204 m: 34 46 62 64
Cavalleggeri/Gregorio Vii6 min 295 m: 34 98
Closest subway stations
Cipro19 min 950 m: A
Ottaviano 19 min 961 m: A
Address Piazza San Pietro, Città del Vaticano
Website www.basilicasanpietro.va

The Pietà (“The Pity” in English) is a masterpiece of the Renaissance epoch by Michelangelo Buonarotti, located in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican. Moreover, it is the first work among other statues of the same theme. The sculpture was commissioned by the French Cardinal Jean de Bilheres.

It is made of Carrara marble for the cardinal’s funeral monument, but in the 18th century, it was moved to the first chapel on the right when one enters the basilica.

Pieta is the only masterpiece where Michelangelo left his signature.

Contents

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  • The Most Important Things to Know about Pieta
    • Why is Michelangelo’s Pieta so famous?
    • How much does the Pieta weigh?
    • Where is the original Michelangelo’s Pieta?
    • Who sculpted Pieta?
    • How much is the Pieta worth?
    • Where Michelangelo created the Pieta?
    • What does Michelangelo’s Pieta mean?
  • How to See Pieta by Michelangelo
  • Interesting Facts about Michelangelo’s Pieta
  • Analysis
  • How did Michelangelo Create the Pieta
  • Damage, restoration, and protection of the Pieta
  • Pieta by Other Artists
    • Florence Pieta
    • Pieta by Perugino
    • Rondanini Pietà
  • Nearby Attractions

The Most Important Things to Know about Pieta

Why is Michelangelo’s Pieta so famous?

Michelangelo's Pieta is famous for its extraordinary beauty, emotional intensity, and technical perfection. Created between 1498-1499, it marked a turning point in Renaissance sculpture.

How much does the Pieta weigh?

The Pieta weighs approximately 2,340 kilograms (5,160 pounds), a substantial weight that testifies to the scale and grandeur of the marble sculpture.

Where is the original Michelangelo’s Pieta?

The original Michelangelo's Pieta is housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, where it has been since the 18th century.

Who sculpted Pieta?

The Pieta was sculpted by Michelangelo Buonarroti, one of the most celebrated artists of the Italian Renaissance, between 1498 and 1499.

How much is the Pieta worth?

It isn't easy to quantify the monetary value of the Pieta, as it is considered a priceless work of art. Its value lies in its historical and cultural significance.

Where Michelangelo created the Pieta?

Michelangelo created the Pieta in Rome, Italy, during a five-year period that he spent in the city from 1498 to 1503.

What does Michelangelo’s Pieta mean?

Michelangelo's Pieta represents the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ. The term "Pieta" translates to "pity" in Italian, reflecting the sculpture's theme of compassion and sorrow.

How to See Pieta by Michelangelo

The Pieta by Michelangelo is put on public display behind bullet-proof glass in the main religious building of the Vatican – St. Peter’s Cathedral. Access is free of admission, just at the entrance to the right in the first chapel.

Navigating Security Control: When planning to visit the iconic St. Peter’s Cathedral, remember to allocate time for security control. It’s common to find yourself in a live queue, waiting several hours. Patience will be your ally here, as the cathedral’s breathtaking architecture and rich history await you.

long queue at St Peter Basilica in the Vatican

Dressing for Success and Respect: Rome’s weather can be pretty unpredictable, and depending on the time of year, you may experience scorching heat or chilling cold. Along with dressing for comfort, adhering to the Vatican’s dress code is crucial. Modesty is key; shoulders and knees should be covered. Consult our handy guide on dressing in Rome for the different months of the year to ensure you meet these requirements. Your attire affects your comfort and shows respect for this sacred place.

The Crowds at the Pieta Statue: As you wander the cathedral’s grand interior, you’ll inevitably stumble upon the Pieta statue—a favorite among visitors. Expect crowds, and remember to embrace a tolerant and calm attitude. The beauty of Michelangelo’s creation is worth the wait.

Crowd of tourists at the statue of Michelangelo's Pieta in St Peter's-Basilica

Early Bird Gets the Best View: For those looking to experience the cathedral without the bustling crowds, an early morning visit (preferably before 8 am) is highly recommended. This will significantly increase your chances of comfortably admiring Michelangelo’s masterpiece and other awe-inspiring cathedral features.

St Peter Basilica and Michelangelo Pieta in the early morning without crowds of tourists

By following these tips, you’ll ensure a smooth visit to St. Peter’s Cathedral and one filled with awe and appreciation for the masterful art and architecture that adorn this sacred space. Happy exploring!

You can see Michelangelo’s masterpiece and learn many amazing facts during our individual tour to the Vatican at sunrise

Interesting Facts about Michelangelo’s Pieta

Memorize these interesting facts about Michelangelo’s Pieta, and surprise your friends while visiting St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. With this knowledge in hand, you can add depth and insight to your Roman adventure, transforming a simple tour into a rich, cultural experience.

  1. This is the only sculpture by Michelangelo that bears his signature, carved into the sash across Mary’s chest. He added it after overhearing that someone attributed the work to another artist, a mark of his pride in this creation.
  2. The word Pietà comes from the Italian word for “pity” and is pronounced with emphasis on the “a” letter. It denotes the theme of the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus.
  3. The letter “M” was discovered on Mary’s left palm during restoration. It remains a subject of debate whether this monogram could mean Michelangelo or Mary or even symbolize both.
  4. The impressive dimensions of this multi-ton sculpture are 174 × 195 × 69 cm. The elaborate base was crafted in 1626 by Francesco Borromini, a prominent Baroque architect. See also a Guide to Borromini’s Masterpieces in Rome.
  5. Michelangelo sculpted the Pieta during a five-year period (1498–1503) that he spent in Rome. This was a significant part of his career, even though he mainly resided in Florence.
  6. In 1736, a restoration was required for Mary’s four fingers on the left hand. This delicate operation showcased the fragility and lasting preservation needs of the artwork.
  7. Following the 1972 hammer attack by Laszlo Toth, the statue was encased in a triple layer of bulletproof glass, a reminder of the passion and controversy that great art can ignite.
  8. Repairing Mary’s eyelid after the 1972 damage was painstaking. It took almost 20 tries for restorers, a testament to Michelangelo’s mastery and the complexity of the work.
  9. The entire restoration after the incident with Toth took about 10 months, a laborious process that restored the Pieta to its original splendor.
  10. Authorities decided not to prosecute Toth criminally. A Rome court deemed him “a socially dangerous person” and committed him to a mental hospital for two years, followed by deportation.
  11. Michelangelo’s reputation soared after he signed the Pieta, and he became widely recognized. This fame paved the way for further monumental commissions in Rome.
  12. The Pieta became famous right after its completion in 1499, quickly becoming an object of veneration and admiration in Rome’s artistic circles.
  13. An examination of the statue reveals unnatural proportions between the figures. This artistic choice emphasizes the theological significance of natural realism.
  14. In summary, Michelangelo got paid around 50 million euros for his masterpieces during his lifetime. His financial success reflected the high value that Ancient Rome placed on art and the artists who created it.

Read also about Sistine Chapel – All You Need to Know Before Visit.

Analysis

The Pieta represents the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion, which is the scheme of Northern origin. Notably, the statue balances the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism. In addition, the structure is pyramidal, where the vertex coincides with Mary’s head. The figures of Pieta are out of proportion, and the fully-grown man is depicted cradled in Mary’s lap at a full length. The face of Christ doesn’t embody signs of the Passion. The artist did not want his masterpiece to represent death. Instead, he wanted to show the “religious vision of abandonment and a serene face of the Son.”

Michelangelo’s representation of the Pieta is different from previously created art works by other artists because he depicted Mary as young and beautiful women, rather than old woman.

How did Michelangelo Create the Pieta

To create Pieta, the artist spent less than two years working between 1498 and 1499. He was only 24 years old. The first home for the sculpture was the Chapel of Santa Petronilla, a Roman mausoleum near the south transept of Saint Peter’s. Moreover, Bramante later destroyed the chapel during his reconstruction works on the basilica.

After the installation of the Pieta, Michelangelo heard that someone remarked that it was the statue of another sculptor, Christoforo Solari. This rumor led Michelangelo to sign the sculpture on the sash running across Mary’s chest. He carved: “MICHAELA[N]GELUS BONAROTUS FLORENTIN[US] FACIEBA[T] (Michelangelo Bounarotti, Florentine, made this).

Michelangelo Pieta in Vatican

In 1964, the masterpiece was borrowed by the Vatican to the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and it was returned there after the fair.

Before the Renaissance, most arts were represented in spiritual form rather than depicting real life. However, since the Pieta is a Christian statue, it reflects the real suffering of humankind. At the same time, unlike the classical Greek masterpieces where a man is depicted as flawless, the Pieta shows a more realistic embodiment of man’s imperfections, which reflects humanism.

Damage, restoration, and protection of the Pieta

The Pieta was damaged: four fingers on Mary’s left hand were broken during the move and restored in 1736 by Giuseppe Lirioni. Another time it was destroyed on May 21, 1972, when a mentally disturbed geologist, Laszlo Toth, came into the chapel and attacked the sculpture with a hammer while shouting out, “I am Jesus Christ; I have risen from the dead!” Unfortunately, he removed Mary’s arm at the elbow, a chunk of her nose, and destroyed one of her eyelids. Visitors to the basilica took most of the pieces of marble that flew off.

After, some marble pieces were returned, but many were not, including Mary’s nose, which was reconstructed from a block cut out of her back. This is the main reason why today, the sculpture is protected by a bulletproof acrylic glass panel. Also, the Vatican is famous for its Pontifical Swiss Guard and military forces that protect the Pope and all belongings of the city-state.

At the beginning of 20th century the copy of the Pieta was created, which now can be seen in the Vatican Museums. This copy served as the main sample for restoration process of the original Pieta after damages. More info about damage in this video.

Pieta by Other Artists

The Pieta is a famous plot among artists, and there are several other notable artworks bearing the same name.

Florence Pieta

florence pieta

The Florence Pieta (also known as Deposition or the Bandini Pieta) never ended up. In a rage following ten years of work, Michelangelo endeavored to destroy it in 1555, yet he didn’t figure out how to do it. The statue was saved by a servant named Antonio and later purchased by the Florentine Banker Bandini and repaired by one of Michelangelo’s assistants (Calcagni).

Pieta by Perugino

Pieta by Perugino in the Uffizi Gallery Florence

Italian Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino executed Pieta around 1483-1493. It is located in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. The work was created for the church of the convent of San Giusto alle mura, along with the Agony in the Garden and Crucifixion. Moreover, the work was moved to the Uffizi in the 20th century.

Rondanini Pietà

Museums of Rondanini Pieta of Sforza Castle in Milan

The Rondanini Pieta is a marble sculpture by Michelangelo, on which he worked from 1522 until the last days of his life in 1564. According to several sources, there were three versions of the artwork, where this sculpture was the last one. It is located in the Museums of Rondanini Pieta of Sforza Castle in Milan.

Have you ever seen Pieta? Do you agree that this is one of the best masterpieces ever created in the world?

Nearby Attractions

Sistine Chapel
1 min 230 ft 70 m
St Peter's Basilica
1 min 230 ft 70 m
St Peters Dome
2 min 390 ft 120 m
Raphael's Rooms
2 min 390 ft 120 m
St Peter's Square
3 min 520 ft 160 m
Vatican Gardens
8 min 1310 ft 400 m
Vatican Museums
9 min 1510 ft 460 m
Castel Sant'Angelo
19 min 3150 ft 960 m
Bridge of Angels
20 min 3310 ft 1 km
Janiculum Hill
27 min 4360 ft 1.3 km

Author: Kate Zusmann

Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)

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