Cristo della Minerva, Marble statue of Jesus in Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Italy
The Cristo della Minerva is a white marble statue showing Jesus Christ standing with crossed arms, holding symbols of his passion positioned near the main altar. The figure stands on a base and commands the space through its upright, classical stance.
A patron commissioned the statue in 1514, and a renowned Renaissance artist completed it in 1521 after abandoning an earlier attempt due to material flaws. The work emerged during a period of major artistic innovation in Italy.
The sculpture shows Christ in a moment of triumph, combining religious meaning with Renaissance craftsmanship through careful details and a classical stance.
The work stands on the left side of the main altar in the church and is accessible during regular visiting hours. Visitors should enter the interior respectfully and can view the statue from different angles.
A bronze garment was added to the originally unclothed figure in 1546 in response to religious concerns of the time. Centuries later, an archaeological discovery revealed a discarded earlier version at another location.
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