A masterpiece of Renaissance art and arguably one of the most moving sculptures ever created, Michelangelo’s La Pieta depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ. This statue is the most notable work inside Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Michelangelo was only 24 when he carved this complex work of art from a single slab of marble. He chose to show the Virgin as a youthful woman in repose, rather than the older, grieving Mary of most other works on the same subject. Unique among Michelangelo’s sculptures, this is signed as his own, allegedly to prevent viewers from confusing his work with that of a competing sculptor. Legend has it that Michelangelo broke into the church after finishing his work and hurriedly chiseled his name into the sculpture before anyone noticed he was there. Make La Pieta a centerpiece of your Vatican City vacation itinerary, and find what else is worth visiting using our Vatican City trip planner.
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La Pieta reviews
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There are plenty of copies around but the original surpasses all imitations. It is behind a protective barrier - one of the few artworks we saw which were so shielded!
There are plenty of copies around but the original surpasses all imitations. It is behind a protective barrier - one of the few artworks we saw which were so shielded! more »
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This is perhaps the most famous sight within St Peter’s Basilica. You can see it almost immediately on your right as you enter. You have to be a bit patient because there is generally a throng of...
This is perhaps the most famous sight within St Peter’s Basilica. You can see it almost immediately on your right as you enter. You have to be a bit patient because there is generally a throng of... more »
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Michelangelo's first sculpture and the only one he signed, located inside Saint Peter's Basilica. The sculpture is behind glass thanks to the efforts of a whacko with a hammer back in 1972. There are multiple guides that point out interesting details of the sculpture and I would suggest that you read those and perhaps have notes ready so that you can fully appreciate the momentous work of art. You can't miss it and it is well worth a visit when you're here at the Basilica.
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Today I realized one of my dreams which was seeing "la pieta" in real life though it was a little bit disappointing to see that the sculpture was protected by glass. Therefore, you can't see and appreciate the masterpiece within a close distance. It is wonderful to see Michelangelo's genius with this sculpture. He made mother Mary bigger than Jesus so that she can hold him like a little child. A perfect depiction of noble grief of a mother over the death of her son.
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