Transfiguratie van Christus 1589 - 1615

Lucas Kilian's "Transfiguration of Christ," an engraving, presents a scene rich with symbolic weight. Christ is shown elevated amidst swirling clouds, flanked by Moses and Elijah, while below, the apostles Peter, James, and John are startled by the divine revelation. Notice Peter, prostrate, with keys prominently displayed. These aren't merely keys; they are the Keys to Heaven, symbols of papal authority, passed down through history. In ancient Rome, keys were associated with Janus, the god of beginnings, transitions, and doorways, bridging the mortal and divine realms. The apostles' expressions of awe and bewilderment tap into a deep psychological current. We see a raw, unfiltered response to the sublime, a reaction that echoes through centuries of art. Such gestures evoke powerful emotions, reminding us of humanity's perpetual quest to understand the mysteries of existence. Kilian masterfully captures the psychological impact of encountering the divine, a motif that resurfaces throughout the ages, evolving yet retaining its primal emotional core.