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The Pietà
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The pietà—a scene of the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ—was a traditional subject for sculpture in Northern Europe. Michelangelo’s sculpted <em>Pietà </em>of 1498 brought the composition to Italy and infused it with the idealism of classical sculpture. His contemporary, Raphael, designed this version of the scene two decades later, which was then engraved by Marcantonio Raimondi. It builds upon Michelangelo’s sculpted version but focuses on Mary’s statuesque pose and her intense expression of grief. The dead Christ—still idealized and classical in form—is laid before her rather than held in her lap.
| Artist / Maker | Marcantonio Raimondi |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1515–17 |
| Culture / Origin | Italy |
| Medium | engraving |
| Department | Prints |
| Type |
About the Artist
BiographyMarcantonio Raimondi (1480–1534) — 16th-century Italian engraver and printmaker (1480–1534).Marcantonio Raimondi worked as engraver, painter, goldsmith, graphic artist and copper engraver and is associated with Italy. Their documented life spans the years 1480 to 1534, born in Molinella, died in Bologna.Disciplinesengraver, painter, goldsmith, graphic artist, copper engraverBorn1480, MolinellaDied1534, BolognaNationalityItalySources: Wikidata · Wikipedia Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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