The Pieta (1498 -1499) is a world-famous work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City .. it's the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist .. the statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilheres, who was a representative in Rome .. the sculpture, in Carrara marble, was made for the cardinals funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed .. this famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion .. the theme is of Northern origin, popular by that time in France but not yet in Italy .. Michelangelo's interpretation of the Pieta is unprecedented in Italian sculpture .. it's an important work as it balances the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism..