Very Early Wood, Pieta, Northern Spain with Heavy Use

Northern Spain

15th century or earlier | Wood | Item 2641

This wood Pieta from Northern Spain has amazing wear; the surface glows from decades of touching and holding. It dates to the 15th century if not older. The base is old, but not as old as the statue.

Mary holds Jesus’ body on her knees as he descends from the cross, after his crucifixion and before his burial.

This theme of suffering and death is the first in the order of events after the Passion; it precedes the Resurrection, and first appeared in Germany in the early 14th century. It remains primarily a Franco-German theme. Of course, we can’t forget Michelangelo’s sublime Pieta…