Altar of Transfiguration. One of the most beautiful mosaics in St. Peter's; this altarpiece is a reproduction of Raphael's 'deathbed' painting (1520); now in the Vatican Museum. A team of six artists took nine years to execute the mosaic; finishing in 1767. It shows the Lord in a nimbus of bright light; raised in the air with the prophet Elias and Moses; the lawgiver; while the three favored apostles; Peter; James and John gaze on this heavenly scene from earth; wishing that it would last for eternity.( Saint Peter's basilica; basilique Saint-Pierre; Petersdom. )Vatican 2019