Pieta 1499

Michelangelo's *Pieta* (1499), housed in St. Peter's Basilica, is a poignant depiction of the Virgin Mary cradling the body of her dead son, Jesus Christ. The sculpture's realism, evident in the emotional expressions of the figures and the detailed rendering of the drapery, resonated deeply with audiences. This masterpiece solidified Michelangelo's reputation as a master of Renaissance art, and remains a powerful and enduring symbol of faith, grief, and human mortality.