Saturday, March 30, 2013

The Pieta





Michelangelo carved 'The Pieta' when he was just 24 years old, and it is the only piece of sculpture he ever signed. The sheer beauty of its lines and expression leaves a lasting impression on everyone. Hopefully, one day, I too, will see this masterpiece in person!

With this magnificent sculpture, Michelangelo has given us a highly spiritual view of human suffering. Artists before and after Michelangelo always depicted, his mother, Mary, with the dead Jesus in her arms as grief stricken, almost on the verge of desperation. (And really, who can blame her, or the artists, for depicting Mary in such a state after what she just witnessed).  Michelangelo, on the other hand, created a highly supernatural feel.

As Mary holds her sons' lifeless body on her lap, her face glows with sweetness, serenity and majestic acceptance of immense sorrow, combined with her faith in the Redeemer. It seems almost as if Jesus is about to reawaken from a tranquil sleep, and that after so much excruciating suffering, the rose of resurrection is about to bloom!

Happy Easter to All who celebrate!

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