Pietà, Limestone sculpture in Pontifical Basilica of the Holy Cross, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain.
The Pietà is a monumental limestone sculpture positioned above the main entrance of the basilica, depicting the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus after the crucifixion. The work combines black limestone with reinforced concrete, giving the religious subject a contemporary appearance.
Spanish sculptor Juan Ávalos García-Taborda created this work in 1952 as part of a larger memorial complex. It was made during a period when Spain was building new commemorative structures following the civil war.
The sculpture presents a traditional religious theme expressed through black limestone and reinforced concrete, materials that define modern artistic practice from that era. This blend of subject matter and contemporary technique shapes how the work appears and its impact on viewers.
The sculpture is accessible to visitors during regular basilica operating hours. To view the facade and its sculpture from different perspectives, plan to spend time in front of the main entrance area.
The work uses black limestone from Calatorao, a local stone with distinctive coloring that gives the sculpture a striking appearance. This choice of material makes the artwork stand out among other religious sculptures from that period.
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