Pietà by Michelangelo (Vatican City, Rome — 1499) — Questions and answers

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How did the local sculptors in Rome react to Michelangelo when he started his work?

Choices

  1. They welcomed him warmly.
  2. They admired his Florentine style.
  3. They mocked his style and youth. ✓
  4. They offered to help him.

Answer: They mocked his style and youth.

From page 2

What did Michelangelo learn from studying the broken statue of a Roman goddess?

Choices

  1. How to find ancient treasures.
  2. The classical ideals of beauty and proportion. ✓
  3. How to make statues out of fragments.
  4. That he needed to study anatomy.

Answer: The classical ideals of beauty and proportion.

From page 3

Where did Michelangelo travel to choose the perfect marble for the Pietà?

Choices

  1. Rome
  2. Florence
  3. Carrara ✓
  4. Vatican City

Answer: Carrara

From page 4

What did Michelangelo observe to understand the deep sorrow of the Virgin Mary?

Choices

  1. Old paintings of grieving women.
  2. Mothers mourning their lost children. ✓
  3. His assistant's sad stories.
  4. Sacred plays and religious processions.

Answer: Mothers mourning their lost children.

From page 5

What was the biggest challenge Michelangelo faced when sculpting the Pietà?

Choices

  1. Finding the right type of marble.
  2. Making Mary's dress beautiful.
  3. Making Mary bigger than Jesus.
  4. Fitting the fully grown Jesus in Mary's lap. ✓

Answer: Fitting the fully grown Jesus in Mary's lap.

From page 7

Why did Michelangelo carve his name on Mary's sash after the Pietà was unveiled?

Choices

  1. To make the sash more decorative.
  2. To show off his excellent carving skills.
  3. Because other sculptors tried to take credit for his work. ✓
  4. It was a common practice for artists at that time.

Answer: Because other sculptors tried to take credit for his work.

From page 8