As the afternoon light casts a shadow from over the red rocks into the Dixie State University Sears Art Museum Gallery, one piece of art stands out among the rest: an exact casting of Michelangelo’s Pietà. Thanks to a generous contribution from an anonymous donor, a rare casting of Michelangelo’s original masterpiece has taken residence in Dixie State’s Sears Art Museum Gallery. In fact, the gallery’s casting is the 14th of only 100 being distributed worldwide. The newest addition to the university’s permanent collection will be open to the public starting Feb. 17.

“We are thrilled to have such a beautiful piece of art on the Dixie campus; it is truly breathtaking,” Brad Last, vice president of institutional advancement and development at DSU, said. “The generosity of the donors is humbling and we simply can’t thank them enough. We are so grateful that they have entrusted us to display and care for this inspiring sculpture.”