Harley, I don't know if this link covers it or not, but if I remember correctly Calvin wasn't opposed to pictures of Christ necessarily, as in paintings, sculptures etc that were strictly confined to the sphere of art, what he was adamantly opposed to was their display and use in Churches.
I think both he and Augustine felt that once a person rested his eyes on an image of Christ, the natural process of the spiritual extension of one's hand to the Father or to the Son was blunted in a way that was not advisable. In other words, when you prayed before a statue, you really were praying before the statue, even if in part. Icons are bit different to me though, in that they don't have that dimensional aspect to them that enliven them the way a statue can become enlivened.
I'm not totally sure how I view this controversy, as Christ was a man too, so a representation of him on the Cross doesn't seem to me fall under the proscription of graven images. One thing though, that I think is a really bad idea, and that is to picture God the Father. All of the images I've seen of God the Father, picture him as an old man, and who once seen as such, the mind can't help but consciously or sub-consciously contemplate his not-too-distant death.
This was but one. :O)
If I recall Calvin mentions in his writings the great love and care God has for art. For example, He commanded that representations of cherubs grace the ark and bulls support the molten sea. And how He specifically gave instructions in the weaving of the fabrics and the care of construction. I agree with Calvin.
But, like Calvin, I think there is dangers in picture representation and statues of God, our Lord, and saints. Could anyone out on this board really believe that John (the last Apostle) on the island of Pathmos would have a statue made of Mary or of Christ and venerate before it? I think the whole concept of icons is nonsense at best and pagan at worse.
In other words, fluffy, fat cherubs are in. Pictures of Christ on the cross out. However, I must say that I doubt if the mighty warrior angels of God would appreciate some of our depictions of them.