Premium Essay

The Pieta

In:

Submitted By princapesta
Words 362
Pages 2
The Pieta.
The Pieta is one of Michelangelo Buorarroti’s finest masterpieces. This masterwork is found in Vatican City, at St. Peter’s Bascilica in Rome, Italy. French Cardinal Jean de Bilheres, Rome representative, had funded Michelangelo to create this as his funeral monument. It was to be “the most beautiful work of marble in Rome, one that no artist could better” (www.romeinfo.com). This flawless work of art features the body of Jesus placed on the lap of the Virgin Mary after the savior’s crucifixion. The entire process of creating this sculpture only lasted over a year (www.totallyhistory.com). This dimensionally full round sculpture stands 69 inches in length by 78 inches in height. The method of execution is subtractive, as a chisel was used to chip away the marble. The structure of the Pieta is pyramidal with the vertex coinciding of the Virgin’s head, the figure then amplifies down in an increasing manner (www.totallyhistory.com). Through the bright color intensity and positive space, Mary’s face reveals majestic acceptance and serenity. The frailty of Jesus’ body lying across Mary’s arm is an essential portion of this sculpture as it includes the feelings of loss that she was feeling as a mother. This also gives the relationship that is evident between Jesus and his mother in this sculpture a more natural feeling, while incorporating the obvious need, too. The marble used in the creation of this spectacular work has been smoothed to a level that gives a glossy appearance. The distorted proportions of the figures in Pieta serve to illuminate the idea that Michelangelo was not interested in depicting the suffering experienced by Christ, because even under scrutiny the crucifixion marks that should be so readily present are hardly visible. Clearly, Michelangelo certainly did not want this statue to represent death.
Consistent with its meaning

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Aeneas Model

...Aeneas Model Pietas, Latin for pious, is a fundamental trait found in Roman history and literature. Virgil’s inclusion of pietas in The Aeneid enables readers to appreciate an essential quality of any admirable Roman. Aeneas, the primary character, struggles with the implications of this central virtue; however, as he walks the paths the gods set for him, he personifies the essence of piety and thus portrays the quintessential Roman. An essential attribute in Roman history and literature, pietas is defined as “personification of a respectful and faithful attachment to gods, country, and relatives, especially parents” (Britannica). Latin for pious, pietas, is better defined as dutiful, “…pietas [in English something like ‘sense of duty, but a considerably more emotional quality for Romans]…” (Virgil 64). Throughout Roman history, this sense of duty can be found, to the extent that its influence is evident today, “The Aeneid would not be the ideal expression of res Romana that it is, if the fulfillment of duty were not fundamental to its hero. The peculiar content of the modern concept of duty is a consequence of Roman morality…” (Interpretations 13). Roman historian Cicero, writing in his Oratio Pro Canoeo Plancio (XII), identifies dutifulness as the basis for which all other merits form: “Pietas fundamentum est omnium virtutum,” which is translated, “The dutifulness of children is the foundation of all virtues.” In the spiritual sense, pietas possesses further significance...

Words: 1871 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Part a

...Part A On page 118 of your textbook is a picture of the sculpture Pietà by Michelangelo. As we have studied, Michelangelo’s Renaissance period returns to the Greeks for inspiration and ideas.   Using 200 – 250 words, answer the following questions. Don’t forget to defend your answer referencing the themes of the Hellenics and Hellenistics as discussed in this module. 1. Is Pietà more of a Hellenic or Hellenistic sculpture or a conglomeration of both Greek periods? 2. Compare this sculpture to David. How are the two sculptures similar and how are they different in intent, subject matter and mastery? Which one do you prefer? Why? Michelangelo’s Pieta is a sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding Christ. This sculpture is more a Hellenistic sculpture then a Hellenics sculpture because this sculpture has emotions and is not of a perfect man. Also the Hellenistic sculpture has emotion in the face, the imperfect person, and has scares. Christ in this sculpture has face hair. The Hellenics are “perfect” sculpture, with perfect proportion, perfect hair, no scares and no emotions on the sculptures face. Hellenics sculptures show movement in their sculpture. The Pieta and the David are different in many ways. David is a classical style, heroic, godlike, and physically perfect. The sculpture of David would be in the Hellenic sculpture period. The Pieta is of the Virgin Mary holding Christ. The Pieta is like Hellenistic it has emotions, Christ has face hair and his hair...

Words: 741 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

How the Visual Arts Communicate

...woman and the background landscape is therefore quite remarkable, and it lends to the power of the painting”. (According to "Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa" (June 21, 2012), what I felt was unique about the Mona Lisa was the artist took a different approach in painting this women he didn’t follow the rules of other artist. He focused on her being simply natural and beautiful. Also he made a wonderful background which makes you think of a happy place some were far away. But his main focus was her ordinary but beautiful look. Next Michelangelo carved a sculpture using a block of Carrara marble. He said it was the most “perfect” block he ever used. His statue was to go into a side chapel at Old St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. “The scene of the Pieta shows the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ after his crucifixion, death, and removal from the cross, but before he was placed in the tomb”. “This is one of the key events from the life of the Virgin, known as the Seven Sorrows of Mary, which were the subject of Catholic devotional prayers”....

Words: 694 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Concept of Combing Classical Techniques with Christian Themes During the Renaissance

...because of the uprising of humanist beliefs. Art was still religious because most of the Italian population remained very religious through out the Renaissance period, however images in the Renaissance art "were meant to enhance the experience of the faithful"(Heilbrunn). Even though Italians remained religious, the church was in a weak position because of the spread of humanism. Because of this weak position, the church decided to spend a lot of money on architecture, sculptures and paintings in Italy in order to recapture their lost influence. Michelangelo, who was influenced by Greek style of balance, proportion and classical nudity, was commissioned to create "Pieta", "David" and frescos on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel creating a perfect balance of Christian themes and classical techniques. The "Pieta" (1497-1500), commissioned by a cardinal for Saint Peter's Basilica, in Rome, Italy. The statue is a biblical reference of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus after his body was removed from the cross. The statue overstates Mary. Michelangelo concentrated on Mary's emotions of love and grief, yet portrayed her classically beautiful. "The scene is idealized, the emotions it evokes in the viewer are very real indeed" ( Sayre, 498). Harmony, ideal beauty and christian emotion depicted in a biblical sculpture combines classical technique with A christian theme effortlessly. The sculpture "David" (1501-04), originally to be placed along the roofline of the Florence Cathedral...

Words: 508 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Renaissance Art History

...Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice, Italy Franciscan monastery Gothic church from the 1200’s, mammoth sized For the Glorious Mary Rood screen, choir screen, separates the clergy from the people of the mass—made by Venetian scholars Rood Screen, Church of Santa Maria Wonderful carving in marble, round arches When made the altarpiece, had to take into account the huge size of church and the Rood screen, so rounded the edges to fit it right into the Rood Screen Titian, Assumption of the Virgin, 1516-18, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice, Italy Over 20feet high Artist simplified the altarpiece because if there were busy details, the naked eye couldn’t see the piece and understand it from all the way in the back; three simple divisions Simplified the color palette to the three primary colors Features Mary in the middle, the focal point Assumption of the Virgin: Mary is mortal; she cannot carry herself, after her funeral Assention of Jesus: Jesus is divine, can carry himself up to heaven Very vertical God is nicely foreshortened X composition here, in all of his works Mary looks very young, way younger than at her death, and looks healthy, how they wanted to remember her; he idealized Mary At the same time this is being painted, Raphael is painting Pope Leo X People are attacking the very emphasis on paintings like this History Lesson: Protestant Reformation Pope Leo X had to deal with it Before this, the whole church if all Catholic...

Words: 905 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Definition of Art

...Abstract There are many controversial definitions of art. It can be said that all art has form and content, and it’s the differences of those two fields that defines the genre and style of the art. Whether it’s the elements, principle, or the intended meaning, every piece of art may mean something different to every person, as we all have different experiences and points of view.   The Definition of Art According to Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, art can have two very distinctive definitions, both of which are very controversial. The first distinctive modern conventionalist definition focuses on the institutional features of art. This will tend to focus on the way art changes over time, modern works that appear to differ radically from traditional art, as well as the relational properties of artworks that relates it to current history or genres. The opposite or less conventionalist definition uses a broader, more traditional concept of aesthetic properties and focuses on art’s pan-cultural and trans-historical characteristics (The Definition of Art, 2007). While there are many different viewpoints regarding the definition of art, the institutionalism view holds that to be a work of art, a thing must be an artifact of a created kind, by an artist, that is to be presented to an art world public. A diachronic view holds that artworks necessarily stand in an art-historical relation to earlier forms of artworks. This is further defined by Arthur Danto, who later clarified...

Words: 1108 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Research Paper On Michelangelo

... The first segment occurred between 1400 and 1480 and it is often classified as the ‘Primitive’ Renaissance. The segment following this is often referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ or ‘High Renaissance,’ and occurred between 1480 and 1530. It is called this because it was a time that saw significant pinnacles of achievement in art, achievements that really set the standard for the future. The third and final segment is referred to as the ‘Late Renaissance’ ending around 1600. One of the most famous and incredibly talented artists of this time was Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo fought adversity and came from an impoverished family to become one of the most prominent artists of his time. His works in the Sistine Chapel, as well as his Pietà and David are still highly regarded as masterpieces today. Michelangelo was born in 1475 in the Tuscan town of Caprese. He was active during the High and the Late Renaissance, dying in 1564. The family he was born in to claimed nobility, although they had neither the wealth nor documentation to support this claim at the time. Subsequently, throughout the rest of his life, Michelangelo would continue to claim he came from a background of nobility. Michelangelo would end up spending his formative years in Florence, where at the age of 13 he was apprenticed to Domenico di Tommaso Bigordi, better known as Domenico “Ghirlandaio,” for three years, but only staying for one. Under Ghirlandiao Michelangelo studied drawings of classical monuments...

Words: 1244 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Asdasd

...Camillus is a complex character whose representation as the perfect historical hero, exemplifying Roman virtues, is nuanced by his, at times, semi-divine portrayal while, at others, very human and believable depiction. Although Camillus' semi-divine depiction is perceived as conveying impietas, his pietas through fulfillment of vows, as well as leadership and courage make him both human and credible as the ideal hero for Livy. Livy portrays Camillus as disconnected from plebians and possessing impietas through his semi-divine portrayal, yet redeems him as a credible and human hero through his religious observance. The image of Camillus during the triumph, celebrating his role as dictator following the siege of Veii is particularly striking, as suggested by the emphatic placement of 'maxime conspectus'. He is drawn in a 'curru', an emphatic symbol of status, in which a sense of dignity and stateliness is derived from the word choice, 'invectus' suggesting the privilege of being chauffeured into the city, while Livy's use of colour imagery, 'albis equis' to describe the horses that pull Camillus makes him appear pure and almost regal. The cumulative effect of this description is to blur the distinction between Camillus, the man, and percieved notions of divinity, reinforced by the contrast 'parumque id non civile modo sed humanum', implying transcendence semi-divine status. Camillus is seen as distancing himself from the public and as a distrusted leader through impietas to gods...

Words: 880 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

How Does Michelangelo Influence Western Civilization

...most significant figures in western art is Michelangelo. Some of his most famous works include the painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, his sculptures of The Pietà and David. Through his significant art pieces and sculptures, Michelangelo has widely influenced western civilization. Because of his contributions, he defined western art and he represented the Renaissance time period. Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy, on March 6, 1475. When he was young, his parents noticed...

Words: 812 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Vivaldi

...ordained in 1703 obtaining the name “Red Priest” because he had red hair. After his priesting days, he became a violin teacher at an orphanage for girls named Pio Ospedale della Pieta. After writing a little while teaching, he began to see his true potential and so did the people around him. In 1713 he decided to take leave off of the orphanage and play at his first opera in Vicenza named Ottone in villa. Up-starting his career he traveled around composing operas, cantatas and concert music. After countless operas, cantatas and concerts, Vivaldi has reached a magnificent goal of becoming a famous composer. Before Vivaldi decided to become a composer, he was studying to become a priest. He began at the age of 15. In 1703 he was ordained as a priest, also obtaining the name “Red Priest”. It was said that Vivaldi had an asthma condition. Wearing the priest uniform squeezed his chest making it very hard for him to breathe. About a year into being a priest, he had to quit because of his asthma condition. Moving on, Vivaldi picked up a violin and practiced that. He played at the orphanage for girls named Pio Ospedale della Pieta. Constantly playing there, he was appointed to be a violin teacher. He taught the young girls there from 1703 to 1709. In 1713, Vivaldi had taken time off from Pio Ospedale della Pieta to play at his first opera in Vicenza. While still playing in the orphanage, Vivaldi created up to 12 concertos. He used these at the orphanage to give the girls an exercise to...

Words: 883 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Humanities

...Hum-101 introduction to the humanities i: philisophical thought final paper [Draw your reader in with an engaging abstract. It is typically a short summary of the document. When you’re ready to add your content, just click here and start typing.] Hum-101 introduction to the humanities i: philisophical thought final paper [Draw your reader in with an engaging abstract. It is typically a short summary of the document. When you’re ready to add your content, just click here and start typing.] Kimberly Watkins Kimberly Watkins Over the last 12 weeks I have spent a lot of time pondering the questions that have been presented in this course. What is the meaning of life? How do we live a meaningful life? Is there a meaning at all? Before this course, I can honestly say that these questions never really entered my mind. I always felt that I was here for a reason, but I could never clearly define what that reason was. Perhaps I never will. I grew up in a household where religion did not exist, my parents had been catholic in their younger years but throughout time they had lost their faith. They never prevented me from engaging myself in organized religion, but I had always found myself drawn to more of a non-believing science based thought process. Growing up I believed that I was an atheist which is simply defined as “a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings” (Merriam Webster, 2014). But that definition is so rigid and unmoving, and life...

Words: 3321 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

The Myth of Romulus and Remus

...Shyanne Burns Vandermast Hum 2220 Nov. 30th The Myth of Romulus and Remus A tale can have a number of different reasons within in, but the idea has to come from somewhere, whether it is fact or nonfiction. Although the myth of Romulus and Remus depicts a starting point for Roman history, the more remarkable fact of this story is that it portrays the origination of three most treasured Roman values: pietas, dignitas, and gravitas. Due to this tale being passed through many generations there is no surprise that the citizens admired the actions taken and thus incorporating these values into their daily lives. The myth is about two twin brothers that were descendants of the god Aeneas that later on discovered the land we know today as Rome (Garcia). Before their birth, their mother Rhea Silvia was forced to become a Vestal Virgin, which meant taking a vow to be abstinent. Some versions of the story claim the father to be unknown while most versions say Rhea had been raped. Being that she was a Vestal Virgin, rules were that if the vows had been broken, the female was sentenced to death. Due to King Amulius, who at the time did not want to be liable if the paternal gods were to discover the death of the children, he incarcerated Rhea and ruled that the twins be put to death but for it to appear from natural causes, in hope that he will not feel the wrath of the gods (Garcia). King Amulius then ordered one of his servants to take the twins and dispose of them into the Tiber...

Words: 1127 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Michelangelo Buonarroti Simoni Research Paper

...Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was a painter, an architect, a poet, and a sculptor. He was nicknamed the “Father and Master of All the Arts”. He is regarded as the most famous artist of the Italian Renaissance. Some of his famous works include the statues “David” and “Pieta”, as well as the Sistine Chapel. His works are still highly praised today and will last into the future. Michelangelo was born in Caprese, Italy on March 6, 1475. His father, Leonardo di Buonarrota Simoni, was serving as a magistrate in the small village. His mother, Francesca Neri, grew ill at this time and this decided Michelangelo be placed and live with a family of stonecutters. As he grew older, schooling became less interesting than the paintings and...

Words: 1178 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Essay

...Chaos is of utmost importance. In this paper, using the Odyssey as a case study, I will examine the thematic importance of the decisions taken by a hero in accordance to or defiance of self control and pietas and the consequences they lead to. These expectations are clearly marked out for the reader who waits in anticipation to garner the fate of the hero. I will analyse the themes of self control and pietas or duty in the Odyssey and discuss their special significance in this epic. I will then briefly talk about the Hindu concept of duty or Dharma with reference to the Ramayana. I however do not intend to use the concept of monomyth coined by Joseph Campbell also referred to as the hero's journey(which is a basic pattern that its proponents argue is found in many narratives from around the world.) in comparing these epics. The example of the Ramayana will only serve my purpose of highlighting the theme of duty in mythologies across the world. Lastly, I will conclude with the importance of inspecting these themes because of their significance to the plotline. Georg Wissowa notes that pietas was meant by the Romans as "the conduct of the man who performed all his duties towards the deity and his fellow human beings fully and in every respect."Around the year 70 BC, Cicero defined pietas as the virtue "which admonishes us to do our duty to our country or our parents or other blood relations. 1 Essentially a Roman concept ,I will employ it in this paper in context to Greek...

Words: 3587 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

The Life of Michelango

...techniques for a boy not even seventeen at the time. 4. The Battle of the Centaurs was done a year later and demonstrated a great amount of growth. 5. This was the first time that Michelangelo used the plasticity of the human body to express conflict in a dramatic compelling term. In its pulse and thrust in the way that he attached the marble this was a preview of his great works to come. III. The masterpiece of Michelangelo’s youth is the Pieta. 1. The piece is located in St. Peters in Rome. 2. The sculpture is of the Virgin Mary and Christ. 3. Until the 15th century the theme of the pietra belonged almost exclusively to the artists of northern Europe. 4. The northern Europe made the gruesome figures of Jesus and Mary, were mainly in wood, seemed to shock worshipers into the awareness of Christ’s sacrifice. 5. Michelangelo had taken this difficult subject and stripped it of it horrors and bent it into Marble. 6. He did not emphasize the Virgins grief but her acceptance of fate. IV. Two years after the Pieta he then created the...

Words: 1901 - Pages: 8