Click to enlarge

Michelangelo c. 1500

The Pietà was originally commissioned for Cardinal Jean Bilhères de Lagraulas’ tomb but was never placed there; and has been moved several times. Currently, it is in the first chapel on the right in St. Peter’s.

In 1972, a crazed man attacked the statue with an instrument and did extensive damage to it. The Pietà required several years of major restoration, and was placed back in the chapel. To deter damage from occurring again, the sculpture is behind a thick glass shield.

Sculpted from bonded marble. Measures 10.5" H.