Christus, Marble statue in Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christus is a 3.2 meter tall Carrara marble sculpture showing Jesus with open arms, positioned on the main altar of the Lutheran church. The figure displays visible wounds on the hands and faces toward the nave.
Bertel Thorvaldsen created the sculpture in 1833 for the rebuilt church following destruction by the British Royal Navy 26 years earlier. The work was made during Thorvaldsen's long period working in Rome and shipped to Copenhagen.
The statue became central for the Lutheran Church of Denmark and later influenced religious art worldwide, including numerous replicas in different countries.
The sculpture stands directly behind the altar in the center of the church, clearly visible from the main entrance. Visitors can enter the interior free of charge during opening hours and view the figure up close.
The work was replicated many times after completion and now stands as a copy in religious buildings on every continent except Antarctica. Thorvaldsen also created the twelve apostle figures that line the church walls and flank the central figure.
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