Christus verjaagt de geldwisselaars uit de Tempel 1628 - 1682

Jean Lepautre created this print of 'Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple,' in France, in the 17th century. The image depicts a scene from the New Testament where Christ expels merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem, accusing them of turning his father's house into a market. Lepautre's print reflects the religious and social tensions of his time, a period marked by conflicts between the Catholic Church and emerging Protestant movements. The print highlights the theme of moral corruption within religious institutions, suggesting that the pursuit of wealth and commerce had defiled the sanctity of the Temple. It potentially critiques the opulence and perceived corruption of the Catholic Church. To fully understand this image, one could research the history of religious art and the Counter-Reformation, as well as examining theological debates surrounding wealth, poverty, and religious practice in 17th-century France. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on the religious context in which it was made.