Why is the Pietà Shiny? Unpacking the Gleam of Michelangelo’s Masterpiece
Standing before Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the first things that strikes you, beyond the profound sorrow and exquisite artistry, is its almost otherworldly sheen. It’s a quality that catches the light, making the marble seem almost alive. I remember my first visit to Rome, the hushed reverence of the basilica, and…