Michelangelo’s Pieta

By: MICHELLE PARK

Staff Writer

Michelangelo’s greatest masterpiece, the Pieta, depicts Mary grieving with the dead Jesus in her lap. Because of the excellent body depiction and delicate emotional expression, this artwork made Michelangelo the best sculptor in the world. However, when the work was first published, there was heavy criticism because of the proportions of the characters. From the spectator’s perspective, one can only see Mary and the drooping arm of Jesus. Also, the figure of Jesus, the main character, is smaller than Mary. 

However, in response to these criticisms, Michelangelo said that this statue is dedicated to God and should not be judged by human perspective. As he said, this work has to be seen from God’s perspective, not from a human perspective.

This picture is the Pieta from above. In this picture, one can’t see anything other than the peaceful sleeping face and the brightly shining figure of Jesus. Seeing Jesus from God’s perspective is completely different from a human’s perspective.