All images © Leonardo Sens, shared with permission

Since the early 20th century, the massive Christ the Redeemer statue has stood at the tip of the Corcovado mountain, spreading his arms and overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Scaling nearly 40 meters from the base of its pedestal to the top of the figure’s head, the art deco sculpture is a landmark in Tijuca National Park and a busy destination for tourists. Brazilian photographer Leonardo Sens has also set his sights on the cultural icon in recent years, hoping to catch a glimpse of the moon perfectly nestled within Christ’s hands.

After three years of observing celestial patterns and tracking the satellite’s position, Sens successfully captured the sought-after shot on June 4. According to PetaPixel, he positioned himself on Icaraí Beach, which is about seven miles from the statue, and photographed the moon just as it passed behind the figure, who appears to hold the glowing orb in his outstretched palms in an act of divine alignment.

Sens frequently documents the skies and natural landscapes, and you can find more of his work on Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article The Mountaintop Christ the Redeemer Statue Cradles the Moon in Rio de Janeiro appeared first on Colossal.

• summertime sleeping nooks for grown-ups.
• Design community bids farewell to Giuseppe and Maria Fanuli