Michelangelos Pieta free essay sample

Maggy McLaughlin Art 204 Project #2: Form Meaning December 15, 2009 Michelangelds Pieta Michelangelds version of the Pieta is very different from the other versions from his time. He not only used Northern ideals that hadnt reached Italy yet, but Michelangelo carved his Pieta with less pain and more serenity. A piece of marble was chosen and turned into a masterpiece by Michelangelo that many people see as a significant piece of work for his era. Both Mary and Jesus are very realistic and detailed, giving the Pieta a truly humanistic look at classical beauty. Through the shape, texture, and value, Mary and Jesus were created very humanistic. The sculpture altogether is in the shape ofa triangle. The triangle shape was used to represent the Holy Trinity, symbolizing God being the three aspects of religion. The value of the shading on the Pieta affirmed the humanistic features of Mary and Jesus. Marys drapery falls down very smoothly but still shows that gravity is pulling it down with the shading and layers. We will write a custom essay sample on Michelangelos Pieta or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Also, Jesus ribs are deeply indented to give a hue of how the light would have hit his ribs at the time. And lastly, he smooth texture of the entire sculpture gives it a presence of calm and harmony. Although Marys drapery is very detailed and almost gouged in some areas, the texture of the Pieta is very smooth with almost a look of softness. Michelangelo used formal elements like texture and shape to focus the viewers attention on the religious and tranquil aspect of the situation. Mary was created larger than Jesus, knocking off the proportions, since at the time of the Crucifixion Mary should have been smaller than Jesus. The symbolism behind Marys large size empowers Mary and weakens Jesus. Even with the size ratio of Mary and Jesus, Michelangelo formed the two bodies in sync to create unity around the sculpture. The angle of Jesus body, his left arm resting on Marys lap, Mary looking down on her son, and the slant of her drapery all flow together in unison. The contour of the two bodies gave the sculpture rhythm. The design elements applied to Michelangelds Pieta contributed to his version created balance and flow between the two graceful figures. To look at the iconography and form of the Pieta Michelangelo created in the Renaissance Era explains his perception of religion and shows that he was a free hinker of his time. The soft use of texture and humanistic touch to both Mary and Jesus are very different than other Pietas created around the same time. Michelangelo gave little details to keep the sad situation of a mother loosing her son more enlightening. Marys peaceful expression on her face and Jesus resting appearance takes away from the real situation than other artists portrayed as devastating. Michelangelo also gave the touch of Mary looking at Jesus while Jesus composure is to stick by the Christian belief to look towards God when things get tough.