Artwork

Copy after the painting The Transfiguration by Perugino in the Collegio del Cambio, Perugia.

Copy after the painting The Transfiguration by Perugino in the Collegio del Cambio, Perugia. is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Eliseo Fattorini. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Eliseo Fattorini produced a watercolor replica of Perugino’s *Transfiguration* in 1876. The copy bears the artist’s signature and the notation “Rome,” indicating its place of execution. It was later transferred to the National Gallery in London in 1995, where it remains part of the collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition mirrors the original scene of Christ’s transfiguration on a cloud‑capped hill. A luminous central figure with a golden halo raises his arms, while three kneeling figures below and two standing elders above gesture toward him, echoing the biblical moment of divine revelation.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the work employs a restrained palette of pale blues, greens, and golds. Soft washes create a hazy atmosphere, and a focused light surrounds the central figure, giving the impression of a subtle spotlight that emphasizes the spiritual focus.

History & Provenance

Created for the Arundel Society, the copy was reproduced as a chromolithograph in 1881 by Storch and Kramer, under the supervision of Professor L. Gruner. Its later transfer to the National Gallery of London in 1995 secured its public accessibility.

Context

Perugino’s original *Transfiguration* resides in the Collegio del Cambio in Perugia, a key example of High Renaissance devotional art. Fattorini’s watercolor reflects 19th‑century interest in disseminating Renaissance masterpieces through accurate reproductions for scholarly and educational purposes.