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Visual Analysis of the Transfiguration by Raphael

Transfiguration is an art that was painted by Raphael between 1516 to 1520. He painted this art based on the suggestions and the story of the Bible whereby Jesus appeared to his three most favorite disciples who can also be considered to be his closest group of disciples. Therefore Raphael basing his painting on this biblical story he paints an art that represents Jesus with Moses and the three disciples, James, Peter, and john observing and witnessing his transfiguration. It is an oil painting which is based on renaissance art and it is found in the Vatican museums in room 8 of the Pinacoteca Apostolica. Therefore this paper provides a visual analysis of the transfiguration of Jesus painted by Raphael.

Raphael was an artist who was very productive and lived between 1483 to 1520. Even though he lived for a very short time he was able to accomplish many works of art and he succeeded in gaining a prominent position as one of the most influential artists of his time together with Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. This piece of art was painted when he was at his last times and it was his last painting before he died. This type of art is considered to be an art ahead of its time and it was also the best art painted by Raphael. This is because it contains some elements and mannerisms of the baroque style of painting (Eikema, 20). Raphael passed on during the good Friday and due to his perfect work of art, it was placed next to his body before his burial as well as being placed close to his tomb when he died and was buried in the pantheon. This was a sign of how good his artwork was and how people had something to remember him for. Later the painting was taken to the Vatican museums whereby it is available for viewing by tourists who visit this museum.

Raphael painted this piece of art not only about transfiguration alone but also about the possessed boy brought to Jesus for healing. These two completely different stories placed into one are a bit confusing and there have been several debates as to why Raphael must have placed these two contrasting stories into one. This painting was commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici who later became pope clement VII. It was commissioned as an altarpiece of the French cathedral of Narbonne. This piece of art even though done mostly by Raphael was finalized by his assistants after his death was Giovanni Francesco and Giulio Romano. Even with the old age, the painting is still fully visible with its pristine splendor regards to the Vatican conservation experts.

The painting is a contribution of a renaissance in Rome and it displays the divine as well as the divine nature of Jesus. Raphael uses contrasts of light and movement Raphael brings together these two stories together into one and makes them visible as one piece of art even though representing two different stories of the bible. This can be described as a polished design. Disegno means that a piece of art is not just a piece of art but more than a piece of art as a craft but as fine art. This word is an Italian word and its basic concept is brought out by the renaissance artists. This art tries to show the connection of Jesus from heaven to earth and therefore why people would follow the rules and laws embedded within the different societies.

The top part of this artwork is seen as bright and Raphael uses light colors to show the heavenly kingdom of Jesus. On the other hand, the lower side of the painting is shown using a darker theme and color showing the people of the world who need Jesus’s power who is displayed in the upper part of the painting(Kleinbub, 370). Therefore through this Raphael is seen to use proper color to present his ideas and desires about expressing what it means for Jesus and the possessed boy. The effects of light are a dominant theme in this piece of art. Raphael uses blue and white colors in this photo to symbolize religious colors.

The other colors used are yellow, red, orange, and green. These are all warm colors that display and symbolize humanity. He presents the figure in the painting with an interesting pose and a complex facial expression. The boy show is possessed is displayed as having had a difficult time through the use of pale yellow for his skin. In the middle, there is a kneeling woman who is seen as a representative of the church and its duty and responsibility to bring peace, love, and unity among peoples of all kinds. The skin and drapery of this woman are given much cooler colors by Raphael than those images on the lower part of the piece of art that he portrays with a heavy chiaroscuro. Through this, the illumination of the pink garment is possible (Eikema, 10).

In conclusion therefore this artwork is an important part of understanding what it is meant by the transfiguration of Jesus and how this affects the lives of individuals. Not only this literal meaning but this painting helps us understand art even more as well as history and appreciate the masterpieces of art like the one discussed above.

Works cited

Eikema Hommes, Margriet. “Discoloration or Chiaroscuro? An Interpretation of the Dark Areas in Raphael’s” Transfiguration of Christ”.” Simiolus: Netherlands Quarterly for the History of Art (2000): 5-43.

Kleinbub, Christian K. “Raphael’s Transfiguration as Visio-Devotional Program.” The Art Bulletin 90.3 (2008): 367-393.