An Apostle from the Transfiguration

Matthias Grünewald painted the figure as part of a larger Transfiguration composition, likely an altarpiece wing. The work shows an apostle in dramatic pose, characteristic of Grünewald's intensely expressive style. He was a contemporary of Dürer but pursued a very different artistic vision, favoring emotional intensity over technical precision.

Grünewald remains one of the most distinctive voices of the German Renaissance. His work, the Isenheim Altarpiece, displays the same fervent spirituality seen in this fragment. Very few of his works survive, making each piece significant for understanding his achievement.

The painting now resides at the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe in Germany. Grünewald's reputation declined after his death and wasn't revived until the early 20th century, when Expressionist artists recognized him as a kindred spirit.