The Pieta

The Pietà (1498–1499) by Michelangelo is a marble sculpture in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist.This famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion.Michelangelo carved one of the most magnificent sculptures ever created from a single slab of marble in less than two years. His interpretation of the Pieta was far different than those previously created by other artists. Michelangelo decided to create a youthful, serene and celestial Virgin Mary instead of a broken hearted and somewhat older woman.

In subsequent years the Pietà sustained much damage. Four fingers on the Virgin's left hand, broken during a move, were restored in 1736 by Giuseppe Lirioni and scholars are divided as to whether the restorer took liberties to make the gesture more 'rhetorical'. The most substantial damage occurred on May 21, 1972 (Pentecost Sunday) when a mentally disturbed geologist named Laszlo Toth walked into the chapel and attacked the Virgin with a hammer while shouting "I am Jesus Christ."

After the attack, the work was painstakingly restored and returned to its place in St. Peter's, just to the right of the entrance, between the Holy door and the altar of Saint Sebastian, and is now protected by a bullet-proof acrylic glass panel. The chapel of the Pietà is the location where the Pope vests before liturgical celebrations in the basilica.

Its difficult to make Photos cause its behind that glass but my friend made some





Its so beautiful!!

Here is an official, not copyrighted Photo

I was lucky to make this picture