33-foot 'Risen Jesus' statue on its way to Jerusalem
The pioneering spirit of Franciscan monk Father Ibrahim Faltas, together with the artistry of Italian sculptor Alessandro Mutto, have combined to bring a new statue of Jesus to Jerusalem.
The “Risen Jesus” statue is reminiscent of the famous “Christ the Redeemer” monument which towers over Rio de Janeiro with arms outstretched in the same pose. It will be erected in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.
The statue portrays Jesus as He ascended from earth to heaven, and incorporates the representation of multiple people also rising and surrounding the figure, forming a garment-like covering. The sculpture is made from polychromatic steel and bronze and is designed to reflect light differently throughout the day to maximize the visual impact.
The huge monument will be erected on the roof of Terra Sancta High School, which stands close to the city wall, between New Gate and Herod’s Gate. The design was approved by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land and promises to become a significant feature of the Christian Quarter.
Mutto studied at the Liceo Artistico Statale in Verona and then graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, Italy. This is not the artist’s first commission for the Old City, as he has produced artworks representing the 14 of the Stations of the Cross that were placed along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem during 2018 and 2019.
This newest masterpiece has been 18 months in the making and is 10 meters tall (almost 33 feet) and weighs 4,400 kg (9,700 lb). The statue will be shipped to Israel from Italy, although the timing of its arrival in Jerusalem is not yet known.
The Risen Jesus statue is not the first large-scale project for Father Faltas (60). He coordinated a four-year-long building enterprise to open the first swimming pool in the Old City.
Faltas, originally from Alexandria, Egypt, made a visit to Verona in May to see the creation of the statue in progress. The Pope joined him on May 18 to give his blessing.
As Custodial Vicar of the Holy Land, Faltas told The Jerusalem Post that the statue reflects Psalm 85:10-11.
“Grace and truth have met together; justice and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs up from the Earth, and justice looks down from heaven.”
“We hope this statue reflects the reality of the Holy Land, its diversity, and the reality we live in despite all difficulties and challenges. It should embody the spirit of love, peace, tolerance, justice, and brotherhood, eradicating the spirit of vengeance, jealousy, envy and hatred,” he added.
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Jo Elizabeth has a great interest in politics and cultural developments, studying Social Policy for her first degree and gaining a Masters in Jewish Philosophy from Haifa University, but she loves to write about the Bible and its primary subject, the God of Israel. As a writer, Jo spends her time between the UK and Jerusalem, Israel.
