Regular readers may recall that I have soft spot for pieta paintings.
In fact, I have featured a few on these pages over the years, including some that "don't work," (for me at least).
With that in mind, I recently stumbled across a rather unconventional pieta that does work, albeit without the traditional compositional aspects inherent in most pieta renditions.
Instead of holding the crucified Jesus in here arms or lap, Franz von Stuck (1863-1928) depicts Mary grieving with her face buried in her hands as she stands next to her son's body, which is, presumably, already resting in the tomb.
Mary holding Jesus's body is an enormous aspect behind the evocation of pity and compassion in more "traditional" pietas. Franz von Stuck forgoes this element, yet succeeds in evoking pity. Perhaps even more so.
In fact, I have featured a few on these pages over the years, including some that "don't work," (for me at least).
With that in mind, I recently stumbled across a rather unconventional pieta that does work, albeit without the traditional compositional aspects inherent in most pieta renditions.
Instead of holding the crucified Jesus in here arms or lap, Franz von Stuck (1863-1928) depicts Mary grieving with her face buried in her hands as she stands next to her son's body, which is, presumably, already resting in the tomb.
Mary holding Jesus's body is an enormous aspect behind the evocation of pity and compassion in more "traditional" pietas. Franz von Stuck forgoes this element, yet succeeds in evoking pity. Perhaps even more so.
Pieta - Franz von Stuck - 1891
On a side note, it struck me that von Stuck's Jesus is eerily similar to Holbein's "Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb," the very painting that pushed Dostoevsky into a rather profound spiritual crisis (Jesus looks so dead that resurrection seems impossible).
The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb - Hans Holbein the Younger - 1520
I sense von Stuck was aiming for the same sort of effect in his painting, thus deepening the aura of grief and despondency evident in Mary.
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