Where is Michelangelo's Pietà located?
PietàPietà, Michelangelo Buonarroti
Michelangelo's Pietà is located within the Vatican City in Rome, Italy. The marble sculpture is housed inside the Basilica of St. Peter, specifically situated within the Cappella della Pietà. It remains one of the most prominent and accessible artistic treasures for visitors to the basilica.
The work was commissioned in 1497 by Jean Bilheres de Lagraulas, the Cardinal of Saint-Denis, with the assistance of Iacopo Gallo acting as an intermediary. Michelangelo completed the sculpture in 1499, using a block of Carrara marble that he described as the most perfect he ever used for his work.
This High Renaissance masterpiece is characterized by several specific historical and technical details:
- Material: Polished Carrara marble
- Completion Date: 1499
- Artist: Michelangelo Buonarroti
- Composition: A pyramidal structure of two figures
Which chapel in St. Peter's Basilica houses the sculpture?
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The sculpture is housed in the Cappella della Pietà, also known as the Pietà Chapel, located inside St. Peter's Basilica. This specific chapel was intended to serve as a site for devotion and to honor the patron who commissioned the work for the church.
The chapel was originally intended to serve as a tomb for Cardinal Jean de Bilheres. The sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ after his crucifixion but before he was placed in the tomb, a subject known as the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Michelangelo utilized advanced techniques to complete the work within the chapel, including:
- The use of a drill to create deep recesses in the drapery
- A highly polished finish on the marble surface
- A unified composition that creates a sense of graceful acceptance
Is the Pietà currently on public display?
Yes, the Pietà is currently on public display within St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. To ensure its preservation, the sculpture is protected behind a bulletproof crystal wall, a measure taken following a violent attack on the artwork in 1972.
The sculpture remains a central highlight of the basilica's collection. While the work is a masterpiece of the High Renaissance, it has undergone significant restoration to return it to its original perfection after damage was inflicted upon the Virgin's face and arm.
Key facts regarding the sculpture's current state and history include:
- Protection: Housed behind a bulletproof crystal wall
- Restoration: Reconstructed using marble dust and glue after a 1972 attack
- Signature: The only work Michelangelo signed, inscribed on the diagonal band across the Virgin's torso
Frequently asked questions
When was the sculpture commissioned?
The sculpture was commissioned in 1497.
What material is the statue made of?
The work is carved from Carrara marble.
When was the statue completed?
The work was completed in 1499.
How is the statue protected?
The statue is protected by a bulletproof crystal wall.
Learn more
- Michelangelo Buonarroti · 1499Pietà Hand-Painted Oil Reproductions and PrintsView high-quality oil reproductions and archival prints of the Pietà for your space.
- Michelangelo Buonarroti · 1499Michelangelo Buonarroti ArtworksBrowse our full catalog of available reproductions by Michelangelo Buonarroti.
