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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.
The Most Important Thing 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Michelangelo’s Signature: 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.
- Pronunciation of Pietà: 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.
- Double Signature Mystery: 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.
- Sculpture’s Dimensions and Base: 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.
- Five-Year Creation Period: 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.
- Restoration of Mary’s Fingers: 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.
- Protection After 1972 Incident: 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.
- Restoration Challenges: 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.
- Ten-Month Restoration: The entire restoration after the incident with Toth took about 10 months, a laborious process that restored the Pieta to its original splendor.
- Legal Consequences for Toth: 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.
- Rise in Michelangelo’s Reputation: 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.
- Instant Fame of the Pieta: The Pieta became famous right after its completion in 1499, quickly becoming an object of veneration and admiration in Rome’s artistic circles.
- Proportions of the Figures: An examination of the statue reveals unnatural proportions between the figures. This artistic choice emphasizes the theological significance of natural realism.
- Michelangelo’s Earnings: 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).
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
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
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
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?
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