Pieta. Michelangelo. 1555. Marble
At the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Florence is Michelangelo’s Pieta. Michelangelo was in his eighties when he created this work (approximately 1555). This marble grouping was meant for a funerary chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. This sculpture depicts Jesus after he was brought down from the cross after his Crucifixion. He is now resting on the Virgin Mary’s lap, the figure on the viewer’s right, a pose known as Pieta. The figure at the top of the grouping with the features of Michelangelo is Nicodemus. On the viewer’s left is Mary Magdalene. If you look closely, you will notice that she looks as if she has a more finished look as compared to the other figures that seem unfinished. She was actually completed by another sculptor. Looking at the facial expressions of Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary you will notice that they do not express any sadness at the death of Jesus. It is thought that they are aware that Jesus will be resurrected.
Let’s look at the face of Nicodemus/Michelangelo. This work is thought to be a very personal work for Michelangelo. He was a very religious man. He identified with the figure Nicodemus, who was a sculptor. Nicodemus was one of the two men who, according to the Bible, removed Jesus from the cross. Michelangelo’s face expresses great compassion during this act.
Grand Duke Cosimo II brought the Pieta to Florence from Rome. At that time it was placed in San Lorenzo, a church in Florence. It was placed in the crypt. In 1721 it was moved to the choir in Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo (cathedral). In the 1930’s it was relocated again to another place in the Duomo and finally in 1982 it was brought to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, where it is today.
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