Behind the piece: Pietà of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon by Enguerrand Quarton

La Pieta (translated to "pity") is a common scene depicted in Northern Renaissance art. Here, Mary is seen praying over her son's withered body after the crucifixion. 

This delicate scene has been painted numerous times by well known artists like Van Gogh, Bouguereau, and others. However, this interpretation painted by Enguerrand Quarton in the year 1455 most accuurately emulates the themes of sorrow, reverence, and solemnity described in the story of the crucifixion. 

The sickly color of Christ's skin, coupled with his lifeless expression. As opposed to other interpretations, Mary's face appears worn after hours of her seemingly weeping. Her visage portrays the anguish of a mourning mother. The appearance of the priest replicates one receiving their last rites as angels delicately caress Jesus's crumpled corpse. 

For many art historians, this particular interpretation of La Pieta represents many things: the first of which being the death of religion in an increasingly humanistic Renaissance era. It also conveys the emerging style of realism that contrasted with the decorative, almost mystical nature of paintings at the time.