Luis de Morales Badajoz (?) circa 1520 - 1586 (?) Badajoz

The subject of the Pietà was treated widely by Morales, no doubt due to its conformity to prevailing counter-reformation strictures, as well as the high demand for private devotional images among his clientele in the isolated region surrounding his home town of Badajoz. Although images such as the present are seemingly familiar, rarely did the artist create direct repetitions of his works (which was largely the preserve of his workshop), but instead his autograph works are distinguished by subtle alterations in the poses and disposition of the figures, as well as in the arrangement of the drapery. In this respect the present work is no exception, for although it shares certain compositional similarities with other known treatments by the artist, its design appears to be unique.