Pieta Drawing by Michelangelo

The Pieta drawing, along with several others sharing a religious theme, was made by Michelangelo for his friend and (some think) possible lover, the Marchesa di Pescara, Vittoria Colonna. She was of noble descent and spent mudh of her time in retreat at a convent in Viterbo following the death of her husband, Ferrante Francesco d' Avalos, at the Battle of Pavia in 1525. Vittoria shared a close bond with Michelangelo and there have survived many letters and sonnets that passed between them. Through his relationship with Vittoria, Michelangelo's spiritual beliefs grew immensely.

Another exploration of the Pieta scene, Mary is seen at the bottom of the cross with the body of her son at her feet. Unlike other Pietas, she does not try to hold the body, but his arns are draped over her legs and he leans against her. Two small child-like angels take hold of Christ under the arms to support him while Mary raises her upturned hands to heaven as if asking for pity.

The inscription upon the cross is a reference to Dante, being a quote from his Paradiso: "You little think how much blood costs." The placement of these words infers that they come from Mary and are aimed at God