The hyper-realistic sculpture tries to present before the viewer a “body of human quality without artistic movement,” without interpretation, made from multidisciplinary scientific data based on studies on the Holy Shroud.
The curator of the exhibition, Álvaro Blanco, who dedicated more than 15 years of research into its realization, gives a lengthy prior explanation of the historical and scientific data that culminates in the hyper-realistic body.
Blanco confessed during the presentation of the exhibition in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Salamanca that at the moment of seeing the finished body he was convinced that “he was before Jesus, he was before the image of the body of Jesus of Nazareth.”
A group of artists created the sculpture under Blanco’s direction.
“The Mystery Man” is presented by ArtiSplendore, a company specializing in cultural and artistic patrimony exhibitions and tourism.
“In the next 20 years we want to go to churches around the world,” said the company’s executive director.
Blanca Ruiz Antón, another spokesperson for the exhibit, told CNA that “Italy will be our next location after Guadix,” adding that though there are no current plans to do so, they “would love to go to the States.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It was translated and adapted by CNA on Oct. 22, 2022, and updated on April 5, 2023.
Nicolás de Cárdenas has been the correspondent for ACI Prensa in Spain since July 2022. In his journalism career he has specialized in socio-religious topics, and he has also worked for local and international civil associations.
Peter Pinedo is a DC Correspondent for CNA. A graduate of Franciscan University, Peter previously worked for Texas Right to Life. He is a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.