Pieta By Michelangelo Sculpture 9" High. Various painters and sculptors have created the Pieta, which depicts Mother and Son in the painful aftermath of the Crucifixion, in many different styles and forms. Of all the great paintings and sculptures of the Pieta, Michelangelo's stands out from all the rest. The sculptor was still relatively unknown as an artist, when in 1498 in his early twenties he was commissioned to do a life size sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding her son in her arms. It would be the first of four that he would create and the only one he completely finished. It was to be unveiled in St. Peter's Basilica for the Jubilee of 1500. In less than two years Michelangelo carved from a single slab of marble, the most magnificent sculpture ever created. His interpretation of the Pieta was far different than ones created previously by other artists. Michelangelo decided to create a youthful, serene and celestial Virgin Mary instead of a broken hearted and somewhat older woman. When it was unveiled a proud Michelangelo stood by and watched as people admired the beautiful Pieta. What was pride turned into anger as he overheard a group of people attributing the work to other artists of his time. That anger caused Michelangelo to add one last thing to his sculpture. Going down the sash on the Virgin Mary, Michelangelo carved his name. He later regretted that his emotions got the best of him and vowed to never sign another one of his works again. This Pieta sculpture is of the finest quality and is made of a bonded alabaster and mounted to a museum alabaster display base. Is imported from Italy.