Sculpture of Christ The King

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A 19ft statue of Christ stands at the entrance with its arms out-stretched over the two doors. The statue was designed by Chicago sculptor John Storrs and executed locally by sculptor John Maguire based on plaster models shipped to Cork.

The church entrance is a clever manipulation of the famous Barry Byrne chevron used to form a peak over each entrance door. These peaks blend into the sleeves and arms of the statue in a manner that makes the sculpture part of the entrance as opposed to being just a feature. This image is of one of the earliest drawings of the entrance. It is clear that while the statue itself would be the creation of Storrs, Barry Byrne had already pre-conceived the shape of the statue and designed it into the entrance.

History of the Commission

In 1923, through Alfonso Iannelli, Barry Byrne was introduced to John Storrs at one of his exhibitions in the Arts Club of Chicago. Byrne and Iannelli were very impressed with Storrs work, in particular for his winged figure abstractions and unswerving ability to commission large sculptures. It was then that Byrne promised work to Storrs on one of his next projects.

In July of 1929, Storrs visited the Turners Cross building site to begin his early sketches. His visit to Cork also involved meeting the site supervising architect J.R. Boyd Barrett, with whom he signed the contract for the work. This image is a reproduction of one of the initial sketches. Storrs' earlier travels through Egypt and Eastern Europe had enriched his interest in Eastern art. On close examination of the head, one can see oriental influences in the shape of the eyes and beard.

On return to his home in France, Storrs began work on the design. A small plaster relief of the entrance and statue was rendered and photographed for approval by Byrne and Barrett. Both Byrne and Barrett seemed happy with the model.

A nine foot model was later constructed and again photographed for approval. This time however, Byrne objected to the design on the grounds that it had a sharp "cut" look about it, emphasising the V-shaped drops of the sleeves as being too severe. Considering the use of rough cast stone and the coarse plastering of the exterior, Byrne also questioned whether the straight cut design would hold its place against the ornament of the entrance. He even suggested the earlier plaster model was more fitting of the design. J.R. Boyd Barrett complained that the crown was too small & undignified and that the figure of Christ itself was "unduly plain and severe".

A later model for the head, included the addition of a serrated edge, making the brim more prominent. This would eventually feature in the final version. Other modifications appear to include the lowering of the arms to align with the cast stone background. Both Storrs' drawing and plaster model depict the arms raised above the background. Amid the barrage of criticism, Storrs agreed to accept £100 less money than was originally agreed upon. Local man John Maguire was commissioned to construct the final version from the plaster models shipped by Storrs to Cork.

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