[Epilepsy from a metaphysical perspective: an interpretation of the biblical story of the epileptic boy and Raphael's Transfiguration].
Raphael's last painting reveals, in the upper half of the picture, Christ's transfiguration on Mount Tabor and, in the lower half, the young boy's epileptic seizure at the foot of the mountain in the presence of the other disciples. Raphael depicts both events, which are told in succession in the Gospels, as if they took place at the same time. By synchronizing both scenes, Raphael demonstrated a significant correspondence between Christ and the epileptic boy which reveals the epileptic seizure as a symbolic representation of a transcendental event. This metaphysical aspect of epilepsy depicted by Raphael can also be found in the corresponding biblical passages. In the Gospels, the metamorphosis caused by the epileptic seizure is used as a simile for Christ's transfiguration through suffering, death and resurrection.
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Neurologie Abteilung, Klinikum Charlottenburg, Freie Universitat Berlin, Deutschland, Alemania.
D001633:Bible; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000266:history*; D005197:Famous Persons; D049669:History, 16th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D008678:Metaphysics / Q000266:history*; D010151:Paintings / Q000266:history*