Rondanini Pietà, Renaissance sculpture in Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Italy
The Rondanini Pietà is a marble sculpture inside Castello Sforzesco in Milan, created by Michelangelo. The two figures, mother and son, are carved from a single block and rise in a narrow, vertical composition.
Michelangelo began working on this sculpture in the 1550s and reworked it repeatedly until his death in 1564. The earlier version was later partially removed, and the right arm of Christ survived from that earlier phase.
The sculpture demonstrates a radical departure from traditional Renaissance proportions through its elongated forms and simplified, abstract interpretation of religious subject matter.
The sculpture is displayed in a dedicated room inside Castello Sforzesco and can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 17:30. Entry is through the main castle entrance, and tickets cover access to all museums within the complex.
The sculpture rests on a special platform that dampens vibrations and protects it from subway movements and possible earthquakes beneath Milan. This technical solution safeguards the marble in a building exposed to heavy urban traffic.
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