Jean de Billheres
Encyclopedia
Jean de Billheres also called Jean Villier de la Grolaie, was a French cardinal.
He was made Abbot
of Saint Denis in 1473 and Cardinal of Santa Sabina in 1493. He is most famous for commissioning the Pietà
by Michelangelo
now in St. Peter's Basilica
, but originally situated in the cardinal's funerary chapel.
He was made Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Saint Denis in 1473 and Cardinal of Santa Sabina in 1493. He is most famous for commissioning the Pietà
Pietà (Michelangelo)
The Pietà is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French cardinal Jean de Billheres, who was a representative in...
by Michelangelo
Michelangelo
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni , commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art...
now in St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
, but originally situated in the cardinal's funerary chapel.