La Pieta by Michelangelo

Michelangelo was born on March 6th, 1475 in Caprese near Arezzo, Tuscany. He was both a sculptor and a painter. At thirteen, he was apprenticed to Domenico Ghirlandaio, where he learned sculpture and the art of frescos. Later, he went to study in the Medici gardens and developed close ties with Lorenzo de' Medici. Michelangelo's The Pieta was what made him famous. Pope Julius II asked him to paint the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. He portrayed the Bible story of the Creation by painting various human figures. He is also best known for his sculpture of David. Michelangelo died on February 18th, 1564 at Rome. Italy due to a fever. He was buried in the Santa Croce Church in Florence.

The statue was commissioned for the French cardinal Jean de Billheres, who was a representative in Rome. The sculpture was made for the cardinal's funeral monument. The work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion. This piece is the only one of Michelangelo's works that has his signature engraved on it. When Michelangelo overheard a group of people attributing the work to other artists of his time, his anger cause him add one last thing to his sculpture. He carved his name on the sash of the Virgin Mary. He later regretted this and vowed to never sign another one of his works again. The Pieta can be located today in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

This work of art demonstrates Classicism and Realism. The use of Classicism is shown by the reference to the biblical figures, Mary and Jesus. Realism is also shown because the sculpture brings attention to the details in the shapes of the human form, making it look realistic. The bodies of both figures are proportional. This piece is northern due to the characteristics of style is measured proportions, it is religious, the emphasis is on underlying anatomical structure and the composition of this sculpture is static and balanced.