la Pieta o’ Deposizione by Ippolito Scalza 1579
The Virgin Mary holding the Savior
The Savior as he lay in The Virgin Mary’s arms
Mary Magdalene kneels, crying and lays her head on Him
Nicodemus looks down down as he holds the ladder, nails and tongs
This statue stands in the Duomo in Orvieto, Italy. It was carved from one piece of marble by Ippolito Scalza in 1579. It is titled “La Pieta o’ Deposizione”. It is the most beautiful statue I have ever seen and stayed in my memory from our trip to Orvieto last year. I was determined to get some close up shots of it when visiting this year. If ever a statue had the ability to have a soul, I believe it would be this one. It has such a profound affect on you when looking at it. It depicts The Savior as he lay dying off of the cross. The Virgin Mary holds him in her arms and her face shows such grief. Mary Magdalene kneels with her head on his hand as she hold his foot. Nicodemus stands above them, looking down. He holds the ladder and tongs used to remove Him and the nails removed from His hands and feet.
Blogging My Dreams 
There are so many unsung sculptors in Italy. Thank you for highlighting this one.
Yes, for sure, I fell in love with this one!
I was in Orvieto in September of 2016. We were in the last few days of our two week trip to Italy. I had seen literally hundreds of sculptures and paintings throughout Tuscany and Rome, and yet, I was mesmerized by Scalza’s Pieta. I’m not sure why. It was the artistic highlight of my trip. Sculpted nearly five hundred years ago and this 56 year old farmer from Iowa, USA still remembers.
A reply is better late than never. I am just now connecting back to the blog. I do appreciate your comment! I agree with you that there is something very special about that one statue over all others. I am so glad you felt the same way and got to experience the magic of it. I am hopefully returning in September and will think of you when I hopefully once again see the Pieta