Statues of Jesus

The representation of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, has been an important component of Christian worship for more than two thousand years. In addition to icons and crucifixes, statues of Jesus have long been collected for private devotion and decorative purposes within the home.

The widespread production and use of Jesus statues began during the 18th century with the establishment of successful European porcelain factories. Meissen, Sevres, and Wedgwood quickly and efficiently produced thousands of figurines depicting Jesus in a variety of conventional poses, such as Christ with open arms, Christ blessing the people, Christ with the cross, and Christ preaching scripture. During the following centuries, artists experimented with different materials and created an even wider array of statues made of marble, bronze, wood, and clay.

Jesus statues are especially popular among Catholics, who often include them on personal altars or shrines. However, Christians from a wide variety of denominations collect and display figurines of Christ within their homes. Collectors admire these works for their delicacy and emotive qualities.

Quick Facts

• Christ the Redeemer, a monumental Art Deco statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was built during the '20s and '30s using money from local donations
• The depiction of Jesus in art varies according to region and cultural traditions. For example, European artists often depict Jesus as white, whereas Chinese artists sometimes depict Christ with Asian features
• The conventional representation of Jesus with a full beard and long hair was established during the 6th century in the Eastern Orthodox Church