Compare and Contrast Essay: Pieta vs. Moses by Michelangelo

Rome is a great city, housing many wonders. Two of these wonders happen to be the Pieta and Moses, by the artist Michelangelo. As an artist, he was well known and  

Michelangelo was a Renaissance artist who created many sculptures and works. He was fairly young when he became more well-known, and his masterpieces lasted for a very long time. He created a variety of works but thought sculpting to be incredibly important and seemed to see art in many things. He believed every block of stone had a potential statue in it. He liked showing figures and people and was skilled at making them look lifelike and detailed. 

Pieta was created by Michelangelo around 1498. A sorrowful Mary is shown holding Jesus' body in her lap while staring at him. A marble sculpture with incredible detail, from the clothing worn to the body features, gives the impression that it can stand up and walk by itself. Moses, his other piece of art created around 1513, shares the lifelike details of Pieta with it. The painting depicts Moses holding the Ten Commandments. He also has horns on his head, a mistranslation for rays of light on his forehead. 

The sculptures all share a location and an artist, but that is just two things they have in common. Both were made by Michelangelo, and are currently in Rome. They are also made of marble with vivid details. Aside from their clothing wrinkles and shapes, they also have similar features on their arms and bodies. In addition to his tall stature, Moses is large and bulky, a similarity to the Pieta. Additionally, you can see that they both sit down and hold something in their arms. Additionally, both of them are symbolic and representative, showing humans. They were both commissioned as well. 

Although they share traits, they also differ in other ways. Moses is one person, while Pieta depicts two people. Mary is also more leaned back in the Pieta, as opposed to Moses's tall, straight stature. In the Pieta, it is a person being held. Mary is cradling Jesus in her lap, while Moses holds the 10 Commandments. It’s also notable that Pieta looks sadder and more sorrowful while Moses looks tense and angered. They depict different situations and emotions, and 

Despite being unique, both statues have many similarities. They have remained relevant and intact for a very long time, showing the artist's care and craftsmanship.