St. Peter’s busy Cathedral in Rome is the home of Michelangelo’s unarguably most famous Pieta. I have seen it—the bodies are beautiful, strong; yet you are convinced Mary is grieving. In the sculpture, which he carved at 25 years of age, Mary holds her son’s body as if it is a precious gift and she seems at terms with her loss.
The Rondanini Pieta stands alone in the centre of what was once a hospital in Sforzesco castle in Milan. The work itself is considered unfinished. That in itself tells a story. Mary does not so much support her son’s body as the two bodies entwined support each other. There is so little space between them that there is only room for a slight shadow to fall. The marble is rough as is Mary’s expression of grief. Her face is sad...it says I hurt...I have lost my son...I am still working through my grief. So maybe we should not consider it unfinished but—as some writers say—a work in progress. Michelangelo revised and revised this piece again and again for almost a decade until the story was interrupted by his death. A profound work. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom.
12 Comments
Ceryne
10/15/2018 05:31:48 am
Did you get emotional looking at this?
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Diane
10/15/2018 09:47:54 am
Of course. You know me and great art by now😄 And five of my children are sons....there is an empathy I feel toward this sculpture.
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Sophia
10/17/2018 09:04:22 am
Why did You choose to take a picture of that and not anything else on the exhibit ?
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Diane
10/18/2018 04:32:38 am
The building has only one piece of art—this sculpture. It is considered that special.
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Keenan/ellie
10/17/2018 09:05:46 am
What was it made of
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Diane
10/18/2018 04:33:22 am
Marble. And Michelangelo liked Carrara marble from the quarry we visited.
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Maddie
10/17/2018 09:06:08 am
Did you only take a picture of that or did you take other pictures?
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Diane
10/18/2018 04:34:12 am
This is the only piece of art in a whole building. It is that special.
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Brynly
10/17/2018 09:07:23 am
What is it made out of
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Diane
10/18/2018 04:35:13 am
Marble. And Michelangelo liked Carrara marble from the quarry we visited.😄
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Sham al hosin,Fatima,Sham alkhlou
10/17/2018 09:09:17 am
What is that made of?
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Diane
10/18/2018 04:35:40 am
Marble. And Michelangelo liked Carrara marble from the quarry we visited. Which was a great connection for us.
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