This sculpture Michelangelo created for the gravestone. This is a symbol, in it the artist expressed his regret about the life leaving and even the imminent immortality of the soul does not console him.
After death, the soul tends to leave the body, and it dies. The soul is free, but the body does not want to die, and a struggle occurs between them. The small figure of the boy has shrunk, the body is dying, and inside it is lurking a tremendous inner strength of the soul, seeking to escape.
Related Paintings
Risen Slave by Michelangelo Buonarotti 
The Dying Slave by Michelangelo Buonarroti 
Giuliano Medici by Michelangelo Buonarotti 
Bound Slave (Sculpture) by Michelangelo Buonarroti 
Giuliano Medici – Michelangelo Buonarotti 
Esclave ressuscité – Michelangelo Buonarotti 
Garçon accroupi – Michelangelo Buonarotti 
Shrine of Julius II by Michelangelo Buonarroti