Transfiguration

Transfiguration of Christ, Mantegna, 1455

Scriptural reference: The story of the transfiguration can be found in Matthew 17: 3, 4, Mark 9:4, and Luke 9:30. Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain to show them who he really was--not just a great prophet, but God's own Son. Moses representing the law, and Elijah, representing the prophets, appeared with Jesus. Then God's voice singled out Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who possessed divine authority. Jesus would fulfill both the Law and the Prophets.

About the artwork: The composition shows Elijah and Moses on Mount Tabor on either side of Christ, while below them are the disciples Peter, James and John blinded by the vision, according to the iconography suggested by the Synoptic Gospel. The composition was conceived according to a stratified ascending movement culminating in the figure of Christ, who is clothed in an ethereal pearly-white robe.

Looking at the artwork:

• How many viewpoints are used?
• Does the artwork look unified?
• What helps to make it unified? Varied?
• Are there any visual metaphors in the artwork?
• Do the people in this art look like real people?
• Would you like to meet them?