Monday, June 16, 2008

Pieta

Constructed and finished in 1499 by Michelangelo is Pieta, a marble sculpture that is now housed in St. Peter's Bascilica. The statue is now contained inside bullet proof glass. The statue was said to be made for the French cardinal, Jean de Billheres, as a monument for his funeral. The sculpture represents Jesus on his mother Mary's lap after his cruxifiction. This is one of Michelangelo's both best and controversial pieces. No one knows exactly what he is trying to portray. I noticed how out of proportion Jesus was compared to Mary. I did not understand how a delicate woman could be holding a large powerful man in her arms like a small child. Although in actuality it is visible that Jesus is a man in his sculpture, maybe she is looking back on the life that he had and in turn feels like he was a child just days ago. By the confused and dazed look on her face it seems as if actuality of what has happened has not yet set in and instead she is holding on to every last memory she has of her child.

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