Pietà with Saint John c. 1475 - 1485

This anonymous "Pietà with Saint John" from c. 1475-1485, showcases a poignant scene of the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of Christ, with Saint John standing beside her. The artwork likely originated from the Upper Rhine region and exhibits the characteristic style of the period, featuring stylized figures and a simplified, yet expressive, representation of the scene. The background, while depicted in a simple, almost naive manner, includes a distant cityscape and a bird in flight, adding a touch of context to the emotional core of the artwork. The depiction of Christ's wounds and Mary's sorrowful expression, even though rendered with a limited range of colors, effectively conveys the weight of the moment, making this a powerful example of religious art from the Late Middle Ages.