Could a Fifth Michelangelo Be Hiding in Belgium?
A sculpture long attributed to an anonymous artist in Belgium is now sparking debate among art historians, with some suggesting it could be a previously unknown work by Renaissance master Michelangelo. The piece, currently housed in a Belgian church, has recently undergone detailed examination, leading to the intriguing possibility that it represents a sixth sorrow of the Virgin Mary.
The sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus after his crucifixion, a scene known as the Pietà. Whereas many Pietàs exist in German and French art, this particular work stands out due to its multi-figured composition, a rarity for the time. The concept of the Pietà itself isn’t modern, but Michelangelo’s approach to it was unique.
Michelangelo famously created the Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, completed in 1498-1499, which is considered a key work of the Italian Renaissance. Britannica details how the sculpture depicts Mary mourning her son, Jesus, after he has been removed from the cross. The Belgian sculpture shares similarities in style and technique, prompting experts to re-evaluate its origins.
According to Wikipedia, Michelangelo was commissioned by French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères de Lagraulas to create the original Pietà for his funerary monument. The sculpture was intended as an altarpiece in Old St. Peter’s Basilica.
The discovery has generated excitement within the art world, as a confirmed Michelangelo sculpture would be a significant find. The potential attribution could reshape understandings of the artist’s oeuvre, and influence. Michelangelo sculpted the original Pietà from a single block of Carrara marble, claiming it was the most perfect he had ever worked with, and that he simply removed the excess to reveal the image within.
The Belgian sculpture’s origins remain under investigation, and further analysis is planned to determine definitively whether it is indeed a work by the Renaissance master. The possibility adds another layer of intrigue to the legacy of one of history’s most celebrated artists.
