The Pietà (Italian for "pity" or "compassion") shows the Virgin Mary holding the body of her Son after he was taken down from the cross. When more mourners gather around, such as Saint John, Mary Magdalene and donors, the scene is usually called the Lamentation. Both subjects invite quiet prayer on the sorrow of Good Friday, and Mary's sorrow is remembered among the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady.
The Pietà became especially popular in northern Europe, where German sculptors made devotional images known as the Vesperbild, and it was later painted by artists from Gerard David to Carracci and Bouguereau. Here is a selection from the collection, all in the public domain. Click any title to see the full post, or use the download link under each image.
