The Transfiguration of Christ, from The Fall and Salvation of Mankind Through the Life and Passion of Christ 1508 - 1518

Albrecht Altdorfer created this woodcut, "The Transfiguration of Christ," as part of a larger series illustrating the fall and salvation of humankind. The composition is strikingly organized around a powerful emanation of light. Lines radiate outward, framing Christ at the center, creating a visual hierarchy that draws our eyes to the divine figure. Below, the apostles are huddled, overwhelmed, their forms rendered with dense, curving lines that contrast with the ethereal quality of the light above. The stark black and white of the woodcut medium enhances this contrast, emphasizing the dramatic tension between the earthly and the divine. Altdorfer masterfully uses line to define form and texture, from the delicate folds of Christ's robe to the rough, rocky terrain. This print is not just a religious scene but an exploration of visual dynamics. It captures a pivotal moment of revelation, rendered through the formal language of light, line, and form, which invites us to reflect on the interplay between the seen and the unseen.