The Transfiguration

Raphael's last painting, The Transfiguration, remained unfinished at his death in 1520. It was displayed at his funeral and stood at his head as he lay in state. The painting combines two biblical episodes: Christ's transfiguration on Mount Tabor above, and the apostles' failure to heal a possessed boy below.

Christ floats in brilliant light between Moses and Elijah, witnessed by three apostles. Below, the remaining apostles struggle helplessly with a demon-possessed boy. The contrast between divine glory above and human impotence below creates powerful theological commentary. The lower section shows dramatic Mannerist figures that influenced a generation of painters. The work displayed in the Vatican Museums' Pinacoteca.