My Art History Site

"Transfiguration" by Raphael

In Raphael's "Transfiguration", Christ Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, are epherally floating in air at the top of the painting. The transfiguration theme of this painting was taken directly from a story in the Bible. Christ Jesus is floating on the top, center. Moses and Elijah are floating to his left and right. Raphael depicting these three men as floating, symbolizes that Christ has been transformed into a spiritual state while talking to Moses and Elijah. Note that according to the Bible, Moses and Elijah lived at earlier dates in time than the time period in which Christ Jesus lived. It is significant that the Bible also states that Christ Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, all ascended at the end of their Biblical careers. The three disciples, Peter, James, and John are below the feet of Christ Jesus. Further below in the painting are crowds of people. Among the crowd is the epileptic boy from another story in the Bible. Raphael putting the epileptic boy in the painting is a reference to the Biblical fact that only Christ could cure the boy, and the disciples could not. This makes Christ appear more spiritual with great healing powers, and shows the contrast between Christ's advanced spirituality, as compared to the limited spirituality that the apostles exhibited at certain times (Honour & Fleming, 2002). Raphael painted the "Transfiguration" in 1517 A.D.; the medium is panel; the dimensions are 15 feet, 1.5 inches by 9 feet, 1.5 inches; and it is housed at the Vatican Museum in Rome (Honour & Fleming, 2002).

Raphael painted the "Transfiguration" three years before Raphael died in 1520 A.D. Raphael's advanced painting techniques are apparent in this beautiful work of art. In addition, Raphael is considered to be "the greatest painter of the High Renaissance" (Wirtz, 2000). Blues and whites are the dominant color schemes for these three holy, Biblical men (Christ, Moses, and Elijah) which is the focus of this painting. Other colors (red, orange, green, yellow, etc.) are used in the depiction of the remaining figures in the painting. White and blue colors are used symbolically to signify spiritual colors. The other colors are warm colors that symbolize humanity. Raphael has mastered an elegant style when showing the drapery of the clothing on the figures in this painting. The figures also have complex facial expressions and interesting poses.