Pietà

Follower of Michelangelo Buonarroti Italian

Not on view

The Pietà Michelangelo invented for Vittoria attracted an unusual, ongoing fame, to the point that it became a cult image widely copied and repurposed in different materials. Beyond the numerous copies in drawings, paintings, and engravings, the design was adapted for portable altarpieces, votive reliefs, and paxes—small tablets kissed by the participants in Mass—such as this one. The pax, its gilding quite worn, is crudely inscribed with the name of a religious society of Saint Peter.

Pietà, Follower of Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, Caprese 1475–1564 Rome), Gilt bronze, Italian, Rome

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Pietà, Follower of Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, Caprese 1475–1564 Rome), Gilt bronze, Italian, Rome
Pietà, Follower of Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, Caprese 1475–1564 Rome), Gilt bronze, Italian, Rome
Pietà, Follower of Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, Caprese 1475–1564 Rome), Gilt bronze, Italian, Rome

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.