Northern dome with depiction of the Metamorphosis with two preceding scenes

Graphite on transparent paper
57.47 cm x 57.79 cm (22 5/8 in. x 22 3/4 in.)

For the dome crowning the northern arm of the church, the reconstruction envisages the scene of the Metamorphosis, or Transfiguration, depicting the gospel episode in which the divine nature of Christ is revealed to the Apostles on Mount Tabor. Once again, the moment is recounted in the visual prose of Mesarites: in the midst of “a cloud of light . . . more brilliant than the sun” the figure of Christ rises up from the edge of the sacred mountain, shedding his glory upon his disciples, who prostrate themselves on the ground, “covering their faces with their hands, as they look without protection on the unbearable strength of the light.” According to Byzantine iconographic prototypes, Moses and Elijah stand on either side of the Savior as witnesses of Christ’s transfigured form, with the disciples below.