noun (sometimes lowercase) Fine Arts.
- a representation of the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of the dead Christ, usually shown held on her lap.
noun
- a sculpture, painting, or drawing of the dead Christ, supported by the Virgin Mary
n.“Virgin holding the dead body of Christ,” 1640s, from Italian pieta, from Latin pietatem (see piety). A painting, drawing, or sculpture of Mary, the mother of Jesus, holding the dead body of Jesus. The word means “pity” in Italian.