The Transfiguration

c. 1475

German 15th Century

Associated Names
This is a painting of a religious scene with figures surrounded by clouds and one prominent central figure radiating light. The central figure is depicted standing on a hilly landscape with rays emanating from its body. There are two figures seated on clouds above and three figures on the ground gazing up. All figures are dressed in vibrant robes and have halos. The scene uses bold outlines and vivid colors against a light background, typical of religious iconography. This style resembles medieval religious painters, often seen in illuminated manuscripts and ecclesiastical art.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut in warm black ink, hand-colored in red lake, blue, yellow, rose, orange, and silver

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.456

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schreiber, no. 140


Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1965

  • Fifteenth-Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, NGA, 1965-1966, no. 18, repro.

Bibliography

1926

  • Schreiber, Wilhelm Ludwig. Handbuch de Holz- und Metailschnitte des XV Jahrhunderts. 8 vols. Leipzig: Verlag Karl W. Hierseman, 1926-1930.

1965

  • Field, Richard S. Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1965: no. 18.

Wikidata ID

Q64952891

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