Pietà
Technical Details
-
Title
Pietà -
Author
Lorenzo Lotto -
Year
1545 -
Dimensions
cm 185 x 150 -
Inventory
215 -
Room
XIV
The pyramidal composition against a dark background highlights the tragic mood of the scene and focuses our attention on Mary, reflecting a Flemish tradition emphasising her role as mankind’s co-redeemer. That role is also stressed by the correlation between Christ’s arm which has fallen to the ground, and the flopping arm of his mother who has swooned and is being supported by St. John. The intense expressions, contrasting colours and shifting chiaroscuro come together to produce this sorrowful meditation on death.
