Agapé - after Michelangelo's Pieta (1497-1500).
In the year 1500 AD, Michelangelo Buonarotti completed what is said to be one of his most highly finished works, Pieta. He apparently was so pleased with that's it's the only piece he ever actually signed.
I have always been attracted to the Mother and Child subject, particularly when portrayed as a 'Madonna and child' or when a piece conjures up feelings this age old subject.
Obviously two of the most important times in the life of Jesus Christ, His birth and His death, the later which I have finally chosen to paint, after Michelangelo's Pieta.
In Pieta, the Virgin Mary's youthful appearance can be attributed to the fact that the viewer is actually looking at an image of Mary holding the baby Jesus. Mary's youthful appearance and apparently serene facial expression, coupled with the position of the arms could suggest that she is seeing her child, while the viewer is seeing an image of the future. As a parent, this is the explanation that appeals most to me, although there are other theories as to why Michelangelo chose to do this.
Agapé means "love" in modern day Greek. In biblical literature, its meaning and usage is illustrated by self-sacrificing, giving love to all--both friend and enemy.
I have chosen to name the painting Agapé so as not to lament the death of Christ, but to celebrate his sacrifice and to reflect upon what was was gained more so than lost.

Please return to view the progress of this painting which I have began working on this Wednesday 12th March 2008.
(Press command + D to bookmark)

Ask to be added to the mailing list if you'd like to receive weekly updates.

Subscribe to email feed for updates.

Click on images for enlargement.
Agapé (stage 1)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Wednesday 12th March 2008

 painting after Michelangelo's Pieta
Agapé (stage 2)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Thursday 13th March 2008

 Mary holding Jesus after he's taken down from the cross
Agapé (stage 3)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Friday 14th March 2008

 Agapé after Pieta
Agapé (detail 1) detail of Agapé
Agapé (stage 4)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Monday 17th March 2008

 progression number 4 of Agapé after Michelangelo's Pieta
Agapé (detail 2) Detail of Jesus after he's taken down from the cross
Agapé (stage 5)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Thursday 20th March 2008



Agapé satge 5 after the sculpture Pieta by Michelangelo Buonarotti
Agapé (stage 6)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Friday April 4th 2008


beginning detail work of the folds in the cloth of Mother Mary
Agapé (detail 3)
detail of Mother Mary and the beginning of the cloth folds
Agapé (stage 7)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Friday April 9th 2008


Agapé means love in modern day Greek.
Agapé (detail 4) painting based on Michelangelo's Pieta
Working on Agapé Religious painting after Michelangelo's Pieta
Agapé (final stage)
220 x 220 cm (48" x 48")
Friday April 18th 2008

Available for purchase
Please inquire.


Return to the top of the page (stage 1 and description).

Home | Bio + Contact | Latest Paintings | Exhibitions | Family | Couples + Cafe | Beach | Female Form | Historic + Rural | Dance | Abstract | Links | Buying Paintings