Christ at the Sepulchre
Description of the work
The work presented to us by the religious sculptor Juan Alberto Pérez Rojas is a remarkable contemporary interpretation of one of the most profound and moving iconographies in Christian art: the depiction of Christ after his death, following the Descent from the Cross, and prepared for burial.
The iconography of the Recumbent Christ has a long tradition in the history of Western art, having developed particularly in Spain from the 16th and 17th centuries onward. Images of Christ in the tomb emerged in connection with both the Holy Week liturgy and the devotional need to bring the faithful closer to the mystery of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. Great masters of the Spanish Baroque, such as Gregorio Fernández and Juan de Mesa, established models of extraordinary spiritual intensity that would shape the future development of this sacred representation.
Serenity and balance in the composition
In this work, Pérez Rojas approaches this tradition from a personal perspective that deliberately avoids dramatic excess. The sculptor conceives of a serene dead Christ, with harmonious anatomy and a restrained expression, in which a contemplative sense prevails over the harshness of suffering. This conception reflects an aesthetic sensibility deeply rooted in classical Andalusian imagery, where formal beauty and spirituality converge to evoke emotion without resorting to expressive sensationalism.
One of the most striking aspects of the sculpture is the careful anatomical study of the figure. Christ’s body is posed through a gentle interplay of legs, arms, and torso—a compositional device that introduces visual rhythm and naturalness without detracting from the scene’s funerary character. The arrangement of the body avoids static rigidity and conveys a sense of organic realism that invites leisurely contemplation.
The head is one of the work’s focal points. The face, gently tilted, conveys a profound sense of peace following the sacrifice. Far from a violent or harrowing depiction, the sculptor opts for a noble and proportionate modeling that emphasizes Christ’s dignity even in death. This quest for balance between naturalism and spirituality evokes the finest examples of Spanish religious sculpture, particularly those Baroque works that viewed imagery as a vehicle for meditation and contemplation.
Polychromy and Spirituality
Polychromy plays an essential role in shaping the aesthetic quality of the image. The light, nuanced tones used by the artist help reinforce the figure’s sense of serenity and humanity. The wounds and marks of the Passion are treated with restraint and sensitivity, avoiding any morbid depiction of pain. In this way, the polychromy serves not merely as a technical finish, but as an expressive element intended to underscore the sacred and redemptive nature of Christ’s body.
From an artistic standpoint, this sculpture marks a significant milestone in Pérez Rojas’s career within the field of Christological sculpture. The work reflects a deep understanding of the Andalusian tradition of religious sculpture, combined with an academically grounded interpretation based on anatomical accuracy, compositional elegance, and emotional balance. The sculptor demonstrates a particular sensitivity toward the integration of volume, gesture, and polychromy—fundamental aspects in the creation of an image intended for public devotion.
A work of contemporary religious art
Furthermore, the work highlights the importance of religious sculpture as a means of spiritual and cultural transmission in the 21st century. Far from being seen as a discipline rooted in the past, religious imagery continues to evolve through artists capable of engaging with tradition from a fresh perspective. In this sense, the work of Juan Alberto Pérez Rojas actively contributes to the historical continuity of Spanish sacred sculpture, keeping alive the devotional, artistic, and symbolic values that have defined this genre for centuries.
The sculpture created for Álora is thus a work of profound spiritual intensity and technical refinement, designed to invite contemplation, reflection, and meditation on the mystery of death and the hope of the Resurrection. Through balanced carving, delicate polychromy, and an elegant artistic language, the sculptor succeeds in offering a contemporary interpretation of the Recumbent Christ that unites tradition, beauty, and faith in a single artistic creation.
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Si desea ampliar la lectura sobre esta obra y conocer otras imágenes cristíferas realizadas por Juan Alberto Pérez Rojas, le invitamos a visitar los siguientes enlaces.
Santo Entierro de la Archicofradía Nazareno de las Torres
La Archicofradía Nazareno de las Torres ofrece información sobre el Santo Entierro de Álora, imagen realizada por Juan Alberto Pérez Rojas, bendecida en 2017 y vinculada a una de las tradiciones penitenciales más antiguas de la localidad.
→ Conocer la página de la Archicofradía
Christ of the Divine Mercy
El Cristo de la Divina Misericordia, realizado en madera de cedro policromada al óleo para la iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen de Almodóvar del Río, permite apreciar otra interpretación del Crucificado dentro de la producción cristífera del escultor.