Yes! I did the same in the 70s. I was especially fortunate to visit Assisi and see those magnificent frescoes before the earthquake crumbled the walls that held them.
*I remember when the Pieta came to America....the security was extraordinary.*
Yes, again! It's now shielded by bullet proof glass.
Michelangelo is one my favorite artist - the 'total' artist. He could work with all mediums. He even designed the cupola over the Vatican.
Prior to sculpting the Pieta, Michelangelo was relatively unknown to the world as an artist. He was only in his early twenties when he was commissioned in 1498 to do a life-size sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding her son in her arms. It would be the first of four that he would create and the only one he completely finished. It was to be unveiled in St. Peter's Basilica for the Jubilee of 1500.
In less than two years Michelangelo carved from a single slab of marble, one of the most magnificent sculptures ever created. His interpretation of the Pieta was far different than ones previously created by other artists. Michelangelo decided to create a youthful, serene and celestial Virgin Mary instead of a broken hearted and somewhat older woman.
When it was unveiled a proud Michelangelo stood by and watched as people admired the beautiful Pieta. However, what was pride quickly turned into anger as he overheard a group of people attributing the work to other artists of his time. That anger caused Michelangelo to add one last thing to his sculpture. Going down the sash on the Virgin Mary, Michelangelo carved his name. He later regretted that his emotions got the best of him and vowed to never sign another one of his works again.
If you get a close up of Mary's head, place your hand midway down, across her face. You will notice that the upper portion of her face resembles an older woman, while the lower portion retains the image of a youthful woman.
Michelangelo remains a genius!