Pietà, with the Virgin, Saint John, and an angel 1505 - 1515

This small, bronze relief, created between 1505 and 1515 by the Italian artist Moderno (Galeazzo Mondella), depicts the poignant scene of the Pietà. The central figure of Christ, a sorrowful and muscular representation, is flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John. The figures, carved with exquisite detail, are framed by a decorative architectural element that adds to the devotional quality of the piece. This exquisite, miniature artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, exemplifies the High Renaissance style through its focus on realism and the depiction of human emotion.