The Transfiguration
Artist: Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Date: 1516–1520
Medium: Oil on canvas
One of Raphael's final masterpieces, The Transfiguration is an oil painting commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici for the Narbonne Cathedral. It is now housed in the Pinacoteca Vaticana in Vatican City. The painting depicts two distinct episodes from the Gospel of Matthew: the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor, and below it, the miracle of the possessed boy.
Artistic Significance and Interpretation:
This work is celebrated for its innovative composition, dramatic use of light and color, and profound emotional expression. Raphael masterfully divides the canvas into two zones: the divine celestial realm above, and the earthly realm below. In the upper part, Christ is depicted in radiant light, flanked by Moses and Elijah, with Peter, James, and John at his feet, overwhelmed by the vision. The lower section presents a stark contrast with its intense realism and the desperate pleas of the disciples and the boy's parents.
The juxtaposition of these scenes highlights themes of faith, doubt, and divine intervention. The vibrant colors and dynamic poses of the figures in the upper scene convey a sense of awe and spiritual transcendence, while the figures in the lower part express earthly suffering and human compassion. The sheer scale and complexity of the work, combined with Raphael's unparalleled skill in rendering form and emotion, make The Transfiguration a pivotal work in the High Renaissance, influencing generations of artists.