Christus verdrijft de handelaren en geldwisselaars uit de tempel 1630 - 1665

This engraving of Christ driving the traders from the temple was made by an anonymous artist, and its date is unknown. The scene depicts a dramatic moment of religious purification, ripe with social commentary. Images such as this reflect the religious tensions of its time. The temple, meant to be a sacred space, has been corrupted by commerce. Christ's violent act, overturning tables and driving out merchants, is a critique of institutional decay. The artist uses strong diagonals and dynamic figures to convey the energy of Christ's indignation. It is as if the artist challenges the viewer to consider who is truly sacred. As art historians, we examine not only the image but also the socio-political context of its creation. By exploring religious texts and economic histories, we can better understand the complex interplay of faith and power in the period when this work was made. This helps us appreciate the meaning of art as being contingent on social and institutional context.