Pieta with Two Mourning Putti

A beautiful terracotta Pietà (ca. 1715) by Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi (1656–1740) was accepted as a gift from The Quentin Foundation in 2006. Commented Anne Poulet, then Director of the Frick, “When the Pietà was originally presented in a 2004 Frick exhibition, it was truly a highlight. Now we are fortunate to place this breathtaking sculpture in the context of our own holdings, which, while strong in French terracottas of the period, did not until now include any Italian examples. This gift admirably fills a gap in our collection. It is an intimately moving rendition of the Pietà, a subject of great significance to both Henry Clay Frick and his daughter Helen, who acquired examples in painting and bronze relief. On many levels, then, this generous gift from The Quentin Foundation is deeply enriching and appreciated.”