Pieta, modelletto for the altarpiece in the cathedral at Reggio Emilia Palma il Giovane (Jacopo Negretti) (1548/50-1628)

The composition presents a scene steeped in sorrow and reverence. At its center lies a figure, clearly deceased, his body exposed with stark realism. The musculature is rendered with considerable attention to anatomical detail, emphasizing the physical toll of suffering. He rests upon the lap of a woman whose expression conveys profound grief; her hands are clasped in prayer, suggesting both anguish and supplication.
Surrounding this central pair are several other figures, each contributing to the overall atmosphere of mourning. A man with flowing hair and beard stands close by, his hand raised as if in benediction or perhaps a gesture of lament. To his right, another figure holds aloft flaming torches, their light casting dramatic shadows across the scene and highlighting the solemnity of the moment. Further back, a woman in red is visible, her face turned towards the central figures with an expression of quiet sorrow. A group of angels hovers above, one holding a ring of thorns, likely referencing the crown of thorns worn by the deceased.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by dark tones – browns, blacks, and deep reds – which contribute to the painting’s somber mood. The use of chiaroscuro is particularly effective; strong contrasts between light and shadow draw attention to key elements within the composition, such as the body of the deceased and the face of the grieving woman.
The arrangement of figures suggests a layered narrative. The presence of multiple witnesses – the woman in red, the man with the beard, the torchbearers – implies that this is not merely a private moment of grief but a public display of mourning. The angels above elevate the scene to a spiritual plane, suggesting divine witness and perhaps foreshadowing redemption.
The inclusion of the torches introduces an element of ritualistic significance; they could symbolize faith, remembrance, or even the light of hope amidst darkness. The ring of thorns held by one of the angels serves as a poignant reminder of the suffering endured by the deceased. Overall, the painting conveys a powerful sense of loss and piety, likely intended to evoke empathy and contemplation in the viewer.