Pietà or Virgin of Mercy oak sculpture - circa 1520 - Netherlands

Beautiful representation imbued with serenity for this large Virgin of Mercy or Pietà in oak carved in strong relief around 1520.
This sculpture represents the Mater Dolorosa, the Virgin mourning the death of her son whom she holds on her knees after the Descent from the Cross. This episode takes place between the Crucifixion and the Entombment. It should not be confused with the Lamentation of Christ where other characters are added including Saint John and Saint Mary Magdalene.
The group is part of a vertical composition, with Christ's legs folded almost perpendicular along the Virgin's dress.
She is wearing a veil and wimple and wears a loose dress which falls in cascades of broken folds to the ground.
Christ is wearing long wavy hair. He rests in total and confident abandonment on the knees of the Virgin.
The iconographic theme of the Pietà appeared in the 14th century in Germanic countries and more specifically within female monasteries where the suffering Christ and his mother, the Virgin of Mercy, were venerated. It subsequently spread throughout Europe, becoming one of the great subjects of European sculpture from the 15th century.

Dimensions
H. 61 cm x L. 34 cm x D. 20 cm

Southern Netherlands
Oak
Circa 1520
Some usual restorations on the limbs