Cristo-across-the-water

Photo Post: Cristo across the water

I don’t care how long you’ve lived in Rio, I can’t believe you ever get used to the spectacular views. You can forget about them for a while, I’m sure, but when you turn a corner and see something like this, how can you fail to be impressed?

[I put this image in a lightbox, so if you click it you can see it nice and big – check it out!]

Cristo-across-the-water

Cristo Redentor – a great work of art.

2 replies
  1. The Gritty Poet
    The Gritty Poet says:

    So who designed Christ the Redeemer?

    “Local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed the statue; it was sculpted by Polish-French sculptor Paul Landowski.[9] A group of engineers and technicians studied Landowski’s submissions and the decision was made to build the structure out of reinforced concrete (designed by Albert Caquot) instead of steel, more suitable for the cross-shaped statue.[6] The outer layers are soapstone, chosen for its enduring qualities and ease of use.[4] Construction took nine years, from 1922 to 1931 and cost the equivalent of US$250,000 ($3,200,000 in 2013). The monument was opened on October 12, 1931”

    And who came up with the idea, and how was it financed?

    “The idea of erecting a large statue atop Corcovado was first suggested in the mid-1850s, when Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss requested financing from Princess Isabel to build a large religious monument. Princess Isabel did not think much of the idea and it was dismissed in 1889, when Brazil became a republic with laws mandating the separation of church and state.[6] The second proposal for a landmark statue on the mountain was made in 1920 by the Catholic Circle of Rio.[7] The group organized an event called Semana do Monumento (“Monument Week”) to attract donations and collect signatures to support the building of the statue. The donations came mostly from Brazilian Catholics.[3] The designs considered for the “Statue of the Christ” included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands, and a pedestal symbolizing the world.[8] The statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms, a symbol of peace, was chosen.”
    Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_the_Redeemer_(statue)

    It is an amazing endeavor and a glorious piece of art.

    Reply

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