Pietà or Virgin of Pity - Flanders 16th century

This beautiful pietà or "Virgin of Pity" is from the Flemish school, carved in the round in oak in the 16th century.
Mary wears a wide veil and a loose robe falling in flowing folds to the ground.
Her facial features are expressed in a gentle, reverent attitude.
Her right hand delicately supports Christ's head.
Christ wears long, wavy hair and is simply dressed in a short perizonium.
His very fluid body rests on the Virgin's knees, the lines of his body harmoniously adapting to those of his mother. His right arm falls naturally to the ground in total and trusting abandonment.
A feeling of calm emerges and tenderly illuminates this touching sculpture. The iconographic theme of the Pietà appeared in the 14th century in Germanic countries, more specifically in women's monasteries where the Suffering Christ and his mother, the Virgin of Mercy, were venerated. It subsequently spread throughout Europe, becoming one of the major subjects of European sculpture from the 15th century onward.

Dimensions
H. 33 cm x W. 26 cm x D. 11 cm

Flanders
Monoxyl oak with a beautiful patina
16th century