Transfiguration 1510 2 Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556)

The composition presents a dramatic scene unfolding within a shallow pictorial space, framed by a high, arched top. A central figure, bathed in radiant light, dominates the upper portion of the canvas. This individual stands with arms outstretched, seemingly offering or receiving divine grace. The posture conveys an air of both authority and vulnerability. Surrounding this central figure are several other individuals arranged in distinct groupings.
Above, three small figures – presumably angelic beings – hover within a swirling cloudscape, their expressions conveying awe and reverence. Their presence reinforces the sense of a transcendent event. Below, four bearded men appear to be witnessing the spectacle from a lower level. They are depicted with varying degrees of emotional response: some seem startled or fearful, while others display an expression of profound contemplation. Each figure is individually characterized through distinct facial features and gestures.
Further down, at the base of the composition, lie three more figures in postures of distress. Their faces are contorted in expressions of anguish, their bodies seemingly overwhelmed by the power emanating from above. The color palette employed contributes significantly to the overall effect. A luminous pinkish-white light illuminates the central figure and casts a glow on those immediately surrounding him, contrasting sharply with the darker, earthier tones used for the figures below. This contrast emphasizes the spiritual divide between the upper and lower realms of the scene.
The arrangement of the figures suggests a hierarchical structure, with the central figure acting as a conduit between the divine realm above and the mortal world below. The inclusion of the onlookers – both those in awe and those in distress – underscores the transformative power of the event being depicted. There is an implication that this experience is not merely observed but deeply felt, eliciting a range of human responses to the supernatural.

The inscription labels identify each figure, adding another layer of meaning to their actions and expressions. The overall effect is one of intense spiritual drama, conveying themes of divine revelation, transformation, and the complex interplay between faith and suffering.