Resurrected Christ Statue

Michelangelo’s Risen Christ, also known as Cristo della Minerva, is a striking marble statue located in the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. Completed in 1521, the sculpture portrays a resurrected Christ holding the cross, standing in a graceful contrapposto pose that conveys both physical strength and spiritual serenity. Commissioned in 1514, the project faced delays, including Michelangelo abandoning the first version due to a flaw in the marble. The second version was finished primarily in Florence before being sent to Rome, where assistants made final adjustments—some of which Michelangelo reportedly found unsatisfactory. 

Positioned to the left of the main altar, it remains a celebrated example of High Renaissance sculpture, admired for its anatomical precision and emotional depth. Despite restorations and alterations, the Risen Christ continues to captivate viewers with its blend of idealized beauty and sacred symbolism, standing as a testament to Michelangelo’s mastery and his unique vision of the divine made human.