THE TRANSFIGURATION 15th century 110 x 79. Egg tempera on lime wood. From St. Demetrius' Church in the village of Zhogatyn (Poland). Lviv National Museum # i-2281 153k, jpeg. The subject is based on narration found in the Gospels of St. Mark, St. Matthew and St. Luke. They tell how, accompanied by His three closest disciples, Peter, James and John, Christ ascended Mount Tabor to pray. While He was praying, the Apostles were overpowered by sleep. They were roused from their slumber by the shining radiance of glory - an overpowering light streaming from the Lord, and they beheld Christ's countenance shining as the sun, and His raiments white as the light (Matt. 17:2). The Apostles beheld standing next to Christ two men, Moses and Elijah. The Transfiguration is one of the Twelve High Feasts, and churches were dedicated to it as early as the times of Kyivan Rus'. On the icon from St. Demetrius' Church, Christ is represented full-length in white attire and seated in a mandorla, which symbolizes His glory and looks: like two rhombi inscribed in a circle with rays. Flanking Him are the Prophets Elijah and Moses. Below are the Apostles, overwhelmed by the miraculous phenomenon of the transfiguration. St. Peter pathetically addresses Jesus Christ, St. James sits pondering and shielding his eyes from the bright light, and St. John is seen falling from the mount (to emphasize the energy of the Apostle's falling the artist painted details such as a sandal dropping from his foot). The artist's brushwork is spirited and somewhat sketchy. Being blessed with an unusual feeling for coloring, he paints every figure with a bright clear color against the restrained warm- green background of hills, thus attaining not only a decorative effect but a certain dramatic quality inherent in the subject itself. http://www.christusrex.org/www1/lviv/Gallery/Room3.html