Pietà c. early 16th century

This small, exquisite enamel painting by Jean Pénicaud I depicts the Pietà, a traditional Christian subject showing the Virgin Mary cradling the body of her dead son, Jesus Christ. The scene is set against a landscape with a distant cityscape, executed in the artist's characteristic meticulous detail and vibrant colors. Pénicaud's use of Limoges enamel, a technique that involved applying colored glass to a copper base, was highly influential in the development of 16th-century French art. The painting, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, was likely intended for private devotion and is a testament to Pénicaud’s mastery of both technical skill and religious imagery.