Giovanni Bellini, Transfiguration of Christ, ca. 1479, Naples, Museo di Capodimonte
Transfiguration of the Lord
Transfiguration of Christ is one of Giovanni Bellini's finest works. It depicts an episode that is related in the New Testament: in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew (17,1-9), Luke (9 28-36), Mark (9, 2-13)) as well as in the Second Letter of saint Peter (2 Peter 1, 16-18).
Our Lord's Transfiguration is described by Matthew:
Matthew, 17, 1-9
"After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.""
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the mystery of the Transfiguration is described as "A foretaste of the Kingdom" (554): "The Transfiguration gives us a foretaste of Christ's glorious coming, when he "will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body." But it also recalls that "it is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God"."
The Transfiguration of Christ was celebrated in the Byzantine world from 6th Century. It was initially represented through symbols. In a mosaic from Ravenna’s Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe (depicted in Bellini’s painting - a coincidence?), the blue circle, with gold stars, represents the Transfiguration. Elijah and Moses are depicted kneeling, whilst three white lambs represent the apostles.
The Transfiguration of Christ was celebrated in the Byzantine world from 6th Century. It was initially represented through symbols. In this mosaic from Ravenna’s Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe (depicted in Bellini’s painting - a coincidence?), the blue circle, with gold stars, represents the Transfiguration. Elijah and Moses are depicted kneeling, whilst three white lambs represent the apostles
The celebration of the Transfiguration did not appear until 15th century in the West. It was chosen by Pope Callixtus III in 1456 to celebrate the defeat of the Turks during the curse of the Crusade that he himself had undertaken immediately after the fall of Constantinople. The decision to celebrate the Transfiguration as a feast of the universal Church can be interpreted not only as the longing to consolidate the unity within Christianity, but also to welcome a deeper internal renewal.