Pieta in oak wood, Germany, circa 1500

Beautiful and large Pieta, carved in the round in oak.
Mary holds Jesus' body on her knees as he descends from the cross, after his crucifixion and before his burial.
This theme of suffering and death is the first in the order of events after the Passion; it precedes the Resurrection, and first appeared in Germany in the early 14th century. It remains primarily a Franco-German theme. Of course, we can't forget Michelangelo's sublime Pieta...
Southern Rheinland, circa 1500
A small niche was carved out at the back, probably to store relics.
Height: 0.66m
Beautifully detailed, realistic and mystical at the same time.