Pieta

**
 * __Pieta__ **
 * By Michelangelo Buonarroti

This sculpture was created by Michelangelo in 1498. It is considered his first masterpiece. It was created for the French cardinal Jean de Bilheres Lagraulas to adorn the chapel at the Old Saint Peter's, where he was to be buried. Michelangelo creates textures that depict skin, cloth and hair that seem to bring the statue to life. The way in which Mary is depicted to appear younger than Christ was a subject of controversy at the unveiling of the statue.

To find this building from the Ponte Vecchio, walk west to the second bridge, Ponte alla Carraia. From there, take a right onto Via Dei Fossi. Walk straight until you see Santa Maria Novella on your left, keep to the right of the church and the S.M.N. train station will be visible on your left. Hop on the next train to Rome. Exit the train station out the main doors and continue past all the buses (unless you want to take one. There is an info booth at which you can ask what number to take. Honestly I think the best way top go there is to take the metro). The street in front of you will be Viale Enrico De Nicola. Cross it and walk north west down Viale Luigi Einaudi. Walk one block to the round piazza Republica. The exit from the piazza on the right is the street Via Nazionale. Walk down this street for about 10 blocks and it will bend to the right; stay on this street. At some point the name of the street will change to Foro Traiano and the Monument to Emanuele will be on the left hand side. There is no way that you can miss it. Keep walking straight until the road ends and take a right go one block and then a left on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Walk down this road over the bridge and take a left onto Via della Conciliazione. Now you can see Saint Peter's in front of you. Pieta is in the cathedral.

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__Work Cited__

Kleiner, Fred. //Gardner's Art Through the Ages//. 13th. Boston: Wadsworth, 2008. 467. Print.