First Picture in the World

"The Transfiguration" by Raphael is called the first and grandest picture in the world.

It was originally painted by order of Cardinal Giulio de Medici (afterward Clement VII.), Archbishop of Narbonne, for that cathedral: but it was scarcely finished when Raphael died; and it hung over his bed as he lay in state, and it was carried in his funeral procession. Three reasons are given for combining in one the two scenes, that of the Transfiguration and that of the healing of the demoniac boy. First, it was in accordance with the custom of the day to paint an earthly and a heavenly scene on one canvas; secondly, an historical reason, because the Gospel narrative presents the two events as nearly simultaneous (St. Matthew xvii.); thirdly, an artistic reason, because this conjunction gave the painter room to express in ideal perfectness the great contrast between light and darkness, human suffering and divine glory.

In looking at "The Transfiguration," we must bear in mind that it is not an historical, but a devotional, picture. On the right side of the Saviour we see Moses, and on the left Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, both of which testified of him.

It has been asked who are the two figures on the left side of the upper group. The two are St. Laurence and St. Julian, placed there at the request of Cardinal de Medici; and these two figures commemorate (in a poetical way, not unusual at the time) his father Lorenzo, and his uncle Giuliano de Medici.

This picture was carried to Paris; and, on its restoration to Rome by the French, it was placed in the Vatican, and now bears the title of "The Jewel of the Vatican."