Madonna della Pietà

Madonna della Pietà (also known as Pietà) captures the poignant moment of the Virgin Mary cradling the lifeless body of Jesus Christ after he is released from the cross. Balancing the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism, the subjects present serene grace: Mary embodies both sorrow and acceptance while Jesus' lifeless form exudes a sense of peace and sacrifice.  The statue was originally commissioned by a French cardinal, Jean Bilhères de Lagraulas likely as an altarpiece for the cardinal's funeral chapel in Old St Peter's. The statue bears Michelangelo's signature along the sash on Mary's breast, making it the only work he ever signed. To learn more about the Madonna della Pietà, visit this Wikipedia article.