pietà

Depiction of the Virgin Mary supporting the body of the dead Christ. The theme grew out of that of the Lamentation, the moment between the Descent from the Cross and the Entombment. It first appeared in Germany in the early 14th century. It enjoyed greater popularity in northern Europe than in Italy through the 15th century, yet the supreme representation is Michelangelo's sculpture (1499) in St. Peter's Basilica. The Piet was widely represented in both painting and sculpture. Michelangelo's conception of Mary bearing Jesus' body on her knees was standard until the 16th century, when artists began to place Jesus at Mary's feet. Though most religious art declined after the 17th century, the Piet retained its popularity through the 19th century.