“Pity,” they whispered in Italian. This brings us to the Vesperbild. It means “pity” in Italian. It’s also known as Marienklage. That means Mary’s lament. Vesperbilder depict Mary cradling Jesus’ body. He was taken down from the cross.
The Vesperbild portrays Mary as Mater Dolorosa. She is the sorrowful mother. Jesus’ corpse rests in her lap. This differs from the “Beweinung Christi.” In that scene, Jesus’ body is not always in Mary’s lap.
These sculptures became popular in the early 14th century. This coincided with a rise in devotional images. People focused more on Christ’s suffering. They also focused on Mary’s suffering. The Vesperbild became a key image of the Middle Ages.
Vesperbilder are in many Catholic churches. A prayer service dedicated to the Passion has existed since the 4th century. The scene is the second to last station of the Way of the Cross. It highlights the prayer remembering Mary’s sorrows. “Vesperbild” comes from the idea that Mary received Jesus’ body. This happened on Good Friday around the time of evening prayer or Vespers.
The earliest Vesperbilder date back to the early 1300s. They come from areas near Naumburg, Erfurt, and Coburg. One wooden sculpture from around 1300 is called a “joyful Vesperbild.”
Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica is famous. So is his unfinished Pietà Rondanini in Milan. A copy of Michelangelo’s Pietà is in St. Hedwig’s Cathedral in Berlin.
Three leather Pietàs are in Eschweiler’s main parish church. They are also in the pilgrimage church in Dieburg. The Heilig-Kreuz-Kapelle in Blieskastel has a unique Pietà. It features five medieval arrowheads. Legend says wicked people shot the arrows.
The Pietà experienced a revival during Historicism. Most figures were made north of the Alps. They were often terracotta or plaster. Factories usually made them.
The Vesperbild reminds us of grief and compassion. Mary’s sorrow is palpable. It invites us to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice. It also invites us to contemplate Mary’s pain. The Vesperbild is a powerful symbol. It represents faith, suffering, and love.