Pietà
Lisa Lunskaya Gordon
Photograph 1997

In this image of the Pietà , the issue of Anachronism is addressed: When the biblical scene is updated to the present, suddenly the dynamics between the protagonists change, and the scene becomes charged with sexual tension. Michelangelo's Vatican Pietà was the first to portray Mary as young. This was something of a benign scandal. In its defense, the art historian Vasari, among others, was quick to quote Dante: "Vergine Madre, figlia del tuo Figlio..." (Virgin Mother, daughter of your son.)