The Transfiguration with Christ flanked by two saints and with the Apostles below 1570 - 1615

"The Transfiguration with Christ flanked by two saints and with the Apostles below" is an engraving by Cherubino Alberti, created sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Alberti, an Italian engraver and painter, worked during a period of significant religious and artistic change; the piece depicts a pivotal moment in the Gospels when Christ's divine nature is revealed to his disciples. Consider how this imagery would have resonated during the Counter-Reformation, when the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority through art. The highly idealized figures and dramatic composition serve to inspire awe and reverence. Yet, there's also a sense of distance. Note the emotional responses of the apostles: fear, wonder, and confusion, mirroring the human struggle to grasp the divine. This work invites us to reflect on the power of religious imagery to shape beliefs, and on the complex relationship between faith, representation, and the human experience.