Icon of the Transfiguration
16th century Egg tempera on panel, gesso ground, 55,5 x 43,5 cm The Hermitage, St. Petersburg The icon of the Transfiguration creates a tremendous impression on its simplicity and clarity of composition, splendid drawing and bright coloration. On the mount are Christ in His glorious radiance and the Prophets Elijah and Moses conversing with him; below are apostles astonished by the miracle, Peter kneels in amazement and John and James fall dazzled by the light. The painter, illustrating the evangelical theme of Christ's miraculous transfiguration in the presence of his disciples, was, above all, an excellent colourist. On the light blue background and light ochre mountain he boldly laid thick, bright colours-green and red, yellow and brown, white, and dark to the point of blackness. Typical of none of the icon-painting schools, the icon of the Transfiguration with this light blue background can, owing to its artistic merits, rank among the finest examples of early Russian easel painting. Artist: UNKNOWN MASTER, Russian , Icon of the Transfiguration , 1501-1550 , Russian , painting , religious