Who painted Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple?

Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1510.

Where can I see Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple?

Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple is held by British Museum.

What movement is Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple?

Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple

Albrecht Dürer , 1510

Christ Expelling the Moneylenders from the Temple is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the British Museum.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut, dated around 1510, presents the biblical episode in which Jesus drives the merchants from the temple. Executed on laid paper, the print captures a moment of decisive action, emphasizing the contrast between sacred space and commercial intrusion. The composition reflects Dürer’s engagement with religious narrative during the early sixteenth century.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the Gospel account of Christ cleansing the temple, a scene that underscores themes of spiritual purity and condemnation of profiteering within holy precincts. By portraying the forceful removal of moneylenders, Dürer visualizes a moral rebuke of corruption, aligning the work with contemporary reformist sentiments that questioned the church’s material entanglements.

Technique & Style

Created through the woodcut process, Dürer incised the design into a block of wood, inked the raised surfaces, and transferred the image onto laid paper. This method, prevalent in the period, allowed for fine linear detail and stark contrasts, qualities evident in the crisp outlines and dynamic figures that convey movement and tension within the scene.

History & Provenance

The print emerged in the early 1510s, a prolific phase for Dürer’s graphic output. As a reproducible medium, the woodcut circulated widely, contributing to the artist’s reputation across Europe. Surviving copies are held in several museum collections, attesting to the work’s continued scholarly and curatorial interest.