Who painted Transfigurationen?

Transfigurationen was painted by Unknown in 1782.

Where can I see Transfigurationen?

Transfigurationen is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Transfigurationen

Transfigurationen is an unspecified work on paper by Unknown. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Transfigurationen, attributed to the artist known as 2852_person, dates to around 1782 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Executed in watercolor, the work presents a compact composition centered on the resurrected figure of Jesus, set against a muted gray sky. The painting’s modest dimensions and restrained palette focus attention on the central narrative moment.

Subject & Meaning

Their varied expressions suggest a range of human reactions—wonder, doubt, reverence—providing a nuanced meditation on faith and revelation.

The image portrays the biblical episode of the resurrection, with Christ standing centrally, robed in white and crowned by a halo that signifies divine authority. Flanking him are four male figures, two on each side, each displaying a distinct emotional response to the event. Their varied expressions suggest a range of human reactions—wonder, doubt, reverence—providing a nuanced meditation on faith and revelation.

Technique & Style

Watercolor is employed to render both atmospheric depth and tactile texture. The artist achieves a sense of spatial recession through delicate, feathery clouds that recede into a light gray background, while the central figures are rendered with sharper outlines and richer washes, creating a visual hierarchy. The contrast between soft, diffused sky and more defined human forms underscores the sacred versus the mortal.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1782, Transfigurationen entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. The work reflects the artist’s engagement with religious iconography during the late eighteenth century, a period when devotional subjects were frequently rendered for both liturgical and didactic purposes. Its preservation in a museum context highlights ongoing scholarly interest in the period’s visual culture.