St. John Chrysostom Church and Arte Divine, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, have placed a life-size marble casting of Michelangelo’s ‘Pietà’ at St. John Chrysostom Church in Inglewood.
“We are so blessed to have an exact casting of one of the greatest works of religious art ever created, placed here at St. John Chrysostom,” said Father Marcos Gonzalez, pastor at St. John Chrysostom. “To be able to share this truly moving sculpture with our parishioners and the community along with faithful visitors coming from all parts of the world is a wonderful opportunity.”
Five hundred years ago Michelangelo unveiled what would come to be regarded as one of the world’s great masterpieces of inspired art and perhaps the most beautiful sculpture ever created. The Pieta was both the consummate expression of Michelangelo’s artistic abilities and an embodiment of the divine inspiration that guided his work.
This famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the crucifixion. Arte Divine is authorized and licensed to create only 100 Pietà marble castings from a mold derived from the original Pietà that sits inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome. While some have been acquired by private collectors, most of these castings are being acquired by generous private or corporate benefactors and then donated to Catholic cathedrals, churches, hospitals, and academic settings as legacy gifts.
The Pieta is the only piece of art Michelangelo ever signed. Arte Divine has created this magnificent sculpture in cast Carrara marble from moldings derived from the original Pieta. The result is a precise, exact casting that is faithful to the original Pieta in every detail.
Bishop Edward W. Clark, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, celebrated the placement with an official unveiling and dedication ceremony on Friday, Oct. 13.
“We are truly grateful to Bishop Edward Clark and Father Marcos Gonzalez for the opportunity to place Michelangelo’s masterpiece at St. John Chrysostom Church, Parish and School,” said Pat Kerivan of Arte Divine. “It is Arte Divine’s mission to place Michelangelo’s Pietà in 100 sacred and secular settings around the world. In so doing we hope to elevate the hearts and minds of millions of the faithful who may not have the opportunity to travel to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome and personally experience the transcendent beauty of this divinely inspired work that is Michelangelo’s Pietà.”
