The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers an exhibit of the work of Cristobal de Villalpando, especially the giant altarpiece designated “Moses and the Brazen Serpent and the Transfiguration of Jesus” (1683) through October 15, 2017. You can view this beautiful altarpiece online on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition page at www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2017/cristobal-de-villalpando.

Jason Farago’s article, “From Colonial Mexico, a Towering Vision of Grace,” in the New York Times presents a laudatory overview of Villalpando’s eleven works that are on display at this exhibit, with a large reproduction of the altarpiece.

The upper level of this painting presents the transfigured Jesus accompanied by Moses and Elijah. Luke notes that they spoke of his exodus, which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:30-31). This explains why, at the bottom of the painting, the artist depicts the wilderness attack of serpents and God’s command for Moses to make a bronze serpent on a pole as a life-saver for those bitten (Numbers 21:4-9; Wisdom of Solomon 16:5-7).  A Latin inscription of John 3:14-15 shows the artist’s intention to link this episode to the exodus/passion of Jesus. Those who observe the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6^th will find this painting to be very evocative!