christ the redeemer , portuguese cristo redentor , colossal statue of jesus christ at the summit of mount corcovado , rio de janeiro , southeastern brazil . it was completed in 1931 and stands 98 feet (30 metres) tall, its horizontally outstretched arms spanning 92 feet (28 metres). the statue, made of reinforced concrete clad in a mosaic of thousands of triangular soapstone tiles, sits on a square stone pedestal base about 26 feet (8 metres) high, which itself is situated on a deck atop the mountain's summit. the statue is the largest art deco -style sculpture in the world and is one of rio de janeiro's most recognizable landmarks.in the 1850s the vincentian priest pedro maria boss suggested placing a christian monument on mount corcovado to honour isabel, princess regent of brazil and the daughter of emperor pedro ii , although the project was never approved. in 1921 the roman catholic archdiocese of rio de janeiro proposed that a statue of christ be built on the 2,310-foot (704-metre) summit, which, because of its commanding height, would make it visible from anywhere in rio. citizens petitioned pres. epitácio pessoa to allow the construction of the statue on mount corcovado.
