5 Jesus statues to see around the world
3. Cristo della Minerva, Rome, Italy
Cristo della Minerva in Rome, Italy, is a marble sculpture that was commissioned by Roman patrician Metello Vari, who specified that the semi-naked figure of Christ should be holding a cross in his arms. The image was designed by legendary Italian sculptor, painter and architect, Michelangelo.
The statue was finished in 1521 and is located inside of the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome. Although it’s relatively smaller than all of the other statues on this list, it is one of the most popular sculptures of Jesus ever to be created. Cristo della Minerva is only about 6 feet tall.
The sculpture on display today is the second version of the statue because Michelangelo had to scrap the original carving after he discovered a black thread running through the white marble. Cristo della Minerva was initially unclothed, but during the Baroque period a loincloth was added.
