Angel Pietà

This relief originally ornamented a lectern on one of the two pulpits made by Giovanni Pisano for Sant’ Andrea in Pistoia (1297–1301) and Pisa Cathedral (1302–1311). It is one of the earliest representations of what are known as angel pietàs. The angels have pulled back Christ’s shroud so far that his upper body can be seen. Very much on the alert, and emotionally affected, they are presenting the body as if it were a host that is framed by their raised arms and outstretched legs as if by a mandorla. Their function as part of a pulpit lectern, from which the spirit of Holy Scripture is proclaimed, was to draw attention to the logos, the word of God made flesh.