Antonio da Correggio
The Redeemer

1523-25
Oil on canvas
Pinacoteca Vaticana, Rome

This unusual portrait presents Christ in his perfected body, such as is promised to the faithful in Heaven. The marks of the crucifixion are absent, the skin is perfect, and the body is well-muscled without looking as if it got that way through work or exercise. As in Orthodox icons, the figure's eyes engage the viewer directly. The arms are extended as if to accept and mirror an orant gesture on the part of the viewer.

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Photographed at the site by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.