Are Catholic Religious Statues Better When Done in Granite or Marble?

Although Catholic religious statues are traditionally preferred in marble, there may be reasons advocating the use of granite as a medium for carving Catholic statues. Both granite and marble statues have their own individual qualities, and therefore it becomes necessary to determine whether one is better than the other after weighing the pros and cons, and deciding on the specific use and where the statue will be placed.

The following highlights a breakdown of their differences:

Granite Statues:

Durability:

Granite is a much harder and more durable material than marble. As such, it is more resistant to weathering, wear and damage over time. It has low maintenance and can withstand harsh weather conditions, pollution, and stay untarnished over time, thereby preserving its integrity.

Workability

Granite being a harder material, is more difficult to hand carve. However, depending on the skill of the sculptor, granite statues can be smooth shaven but some sculptors may find it difficult to create highly detailed or delicate features. This is a plus for marble statues since you can yield fine detailing with such material making it a preferred choice for sculptures.

Coarser Appearance (Texture)

Granite has a much more coarser appearance and can be grainy. It can appear much heavier and less polished than marble. Our sculptors that do our marble statues, are the same group of sculptors who may do granite statues, hence the workmanship on our granite statues are usually more refined.

Cost

Granite is often less expensive than marble, making it a preferred choice among American homeowners. Some white granite sculptures may be more expensive than the traditional grey granite options.

Marble Statues:

Durability

Marble statues may be more prone to erosion or cracking especially when placed in outdoor situations since marble is a softer material. Churches might be inclined to place marble statues indoors to avoid exposure to the elements.

Workability

Marble is more easier to sculpt as it is a softer material and hence, sculptors are usually able to do smoother finishes and more intricate details with marble. Traditionally, most sculptors prefer to work with marble as it delivers the fine character of the statue that you would not see with granite sculptures.

Texture

Marble has an aesthetic appeal and as a result, it allows for more smoother finishing with a finer texture yield. This is the reason why marble is often used for artistic and classical sculptures due to its elegance and ability to render human like detailing on its sculptures.

Cost

Marble is usually more expensive and is priced much higher than granite. While the same marble sculptors may also sculpt our granite statues, most marble sculptors generally charge a high cost for carving marble.

Conclusion:

Generally, granite sculptures are more durable for outdoor use as they can withstand the elements of weather and will not crack or erode when placed outdoors. The important thing to do is to determine the purpose of the statue and the environment in which it will be placed.

ItWhile churches have preferred the traditional marble choice for making religious statues for centuries, granite does symbolize the enduring nature of faith and have captured religious statues with a sense of permanence. You only need to view our selections of granite religious sculptures to know that our granite Catholic statues capture religious art fervently and eternally. However, marble is timeless and is able to capture not only the intricate detailing, but is able to depict holy figures with fine details—such as facial expressions, clothing folds, and lifelike features. Since the Renaissance period when master sculptors like Michelangelo existed, marble religious and classical statues have been associated with purity and divine beauty. Its smooth, luminous finish has spiritual significance, often symbolizing the purity of the divine or the heavenly nature of saints and Christ. Thus, marble may be used most times to sculpt indoor religious statues and Catholic religious art for churches while granite statues can be a good choice for large, solid monuments or statues in public or outdoor settings. For instance, statues in church gardens, cemeteries, or public spaces need to endure harsh weather conditions and so, the durability of granite and its resistance to weathering make it a suitable material for outdoor monuments.

Ultimately, the choice between granite and marble depends on the statue’s intended location, the level of detail desired, and the durability needed. Churches may opt for granite when faced with a budget-friendly option, especially for larger or more durable outdoor monuments. However, for indoor Catholic statues, churches will always prefer marble due to its aesthetic appeal, fine detail, and traditional use in religious art.