8 Transfiguration of Christ

“Transfiguration of Christ”, late 18th – 19th century Depicting Christ becoming “three in one.” Figures are welcoming him in the upper circle and worshippers have fallen to the ground. Size: 13” x 11”

Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli′jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.”

This icon depicts the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. In the top center we can see Christ in white appearing in radiant glory, to his right and left Elijah and Moses. Moses appears to be holding the stone tablets of commandments he received on Mt. Sinai. At the bottom of the icon, we can see Peter, John, and James who have fallen asleep. In a few moments they will wake and see Christ transfigured in Glory.
It is said that when an iconographer completes their formal studies, their final work is an image of the transfiguration. This symbolizes the ultimate end of iconography itself: a culmination of a spiritual journey, representing the ultimate revelation of divine glory and a transformation from earthly limitations to a heavenly state, signifying the completion of a learning process and the attainment of a higher understanding.