Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus: A Thing of Beauty

Nineteenth-century sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen reimagined contemporary depictions of the Savior with his Christus statue for Copenhagen’s Church of Our Lady. Instead of Christ upon the cross, Thorvaldsen sculpted the risen Lord with outstretched, welcoming arms.

In this video, emeritus law professor and former BYU Studies editor John W. Welch (BA ’70, MA ’70) shares insights about the beloved sculpture.