Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
Michelangelo, Rondanini Pietà, sculpture, sculptural phases
College
Humanities
Department
Comparative Arts and Letters
Abstract
I organized this research project to better understand Michelangelo’s final work and sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà, which contains an upright Jesus supported from behind by Mary (Fig. 1). Michelangelo labored on the sculpture up until the last days of his life, and it has even been suggested by John Paoletti that it was meant for the altar of his burial chapel.1The Pietà subject depicts the apocryphal moment following the Crucifixion, when Christ was removed from the cross and placed in Mary’s embrace. Devotionally, the Pietà aids spiritual contemplation and prayer.
Recommended Citation
Pyper, Heidi and Wise, Elliott D.
(2018)
"Michelangelo’s Rondanini Pietà: Construction, Creation, and Sculptural Meditation,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2018:
Iss.
1, Article 114.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2018/iss1/114