Artwork
Pietà
Pietà is an oil painting. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
While the specific artist remains unidentified, the piece is classified as a painting within the religious genre, focusing on the figure of Jesus Christ.
Executed in 1587, this religious painting depicts the Pietà using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 117.0 cm in height and 89.0 cm in width. While the specific artist remains unidentified, the piece is classified as a painting within the religious genre, focusing on the figure of Jesus Christ.
The composition adheres to traditional iconography associated with the subject matter, rendered through the medium of oil on canvas which was standard for the period. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where its physical dimensions and material composition are documented as part of its catalog record.
History & Provenance
The work is held at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded with an inventory number of 1915.407. It has been exhibited exclusively at the Cleveland Museum of Art since its acquisition, with no documented loans or traveling exhibitions listed in available records.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Pietà, depicts the somber moment after Christ's crucifixion, as his lifeless body is mourned by a small gathering. The composition centers on the deceased figure, whose wounds are visible, surrounded by individuals expressing grief. Executed in oil, the artwork conveys a profound sense of sorrow and contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on the scene's emotional weight.
Subject & Meaning
At the heart of the composition lies the deceased Christ, bearing the marks of his crucifixion on his side and hands. He is supported by a group of mourners, including a woman in a red dress tenderly cradling his arm. Behind her, a haloed man in a red robe stands, while a bearded older man in a turban leans in. A young man kneels nearby, holding a small object adorned with crosses, further emphasizing the religious context.
Artist & collection
