Why did Michelangelo sculpt 'Pieta'?

Answer 1

Michelangelo wanted you to focus on the religious meaning of the figure and the event.

Answer 2

People didn't know who Michelangelo was when he finished the Pieta and therefor assumed or guessed is was another famous sculpture at the time. When word reached Michelangelo he supposedly walked over to the sculpture with hammer and chisel in hand and wrote/carved his name across the band on the virgin Marie as to cease all confusion as to who the real sculpture was. He was known to have kind of an attitude.

Answer 3

he commissioned it for a cardinal who had just died

Answer 4

He was commissioned to.