Size relationships within a work of art may express symbolic meaning. compare and contrast michelangelo's pietà (page 82) with the roettgen pietà (page 83). how do the proportion variations within each sculpture affect these works differently? why did each artist use such proportions in the works? what different interpretations were the artists trying to convey to the viewer?

In Pieta, Mary's proportion to Christ is dramatic, she is much larger than he is although they do have the same size head. Mary's size is disguised in her drapery to support the curve of Christ's body. (in this sculpture, she is 8 feet tall!). In Roettgen Pieta, Mary and Christ are both similar in height. Christ's body is more bony and limp to show his suffering and to alleviate the problem of how Mary can support a person of the same size on her lap. Both their heads are huge to heighten the expressiveness of the work.