Encarnacion, Paraguay, 2004
I was in Encarnacion to visit the Jesuit ruins and took this photo in the early evening while wandering around the city after having just arrived. I never made it to the ruins (instead I visited those in Posadas, Argentina) as it rained all day and ended up indulging in a trashy day watching MTV and jumping around on my double bed in a private room to the music. The small joys of budget travellers. However the image of this statue has stuck with me all these years and is on my list of favourite statues for its construction and materials. I love the pose and the skyward look. The hands are so interesting and kind of alien, taking in far less detail than the face and crown of thorns. He also doesn’t have feet and instead the gown ends in a Casper the Friendly Ghost esque tail, signifying Jesus’ transition I suppose. I guess one of more obvious parts is that Jesus isn’t on a cross, and that’s what makes this statue interesting and unique.
If you celebrate Easter, whether for religious or chocolate reasons, I wish you a wonderful weekend.
The Photo Vault is where I will be sharing striking photos (and their stories) that deserve better than being lost in the depths of my iPhoto never to be shared.
a little cameo 
Hi Camille,
thank you for sharing this pic. The Christ figure in both agony and ecstasy is beautiful.
Thanks Luci! I can also see how this sculpture would appeal to your artistic sense. I always feel quite blessed to have had the opportunity to see this sculpture, because Paraguay isn’t really on many itineraries, and Encarnacion perhaps less so. Just another reason why this gem had to be shared.