"The Pietà (1498--1499) by Michelangelo is a marble sculpture in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French cardinal Jean de Billheres, who was a representative in Rome. The statue was made for the cardinal's funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century.

"This famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion. The theme is of Northern origin, popular by that time in France but not yet in Italy. Michelangelo's interpretation of the Pietà is unique to the precedents. It is an important work as it balances the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism. The statue is one of the most highly finished works by Michelangelo."

The statue is enclosed in bulletproof glass because a deranged man attacked the statue on May 21, 1972, screaming, "I am Jesus Christ!"

It should also be noted that this is the only piece of work that Michelangelo ever signed. He signed Mary's sash after he supposedly overheard someone stating that it was the work of another sculptor.

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