Artwork
Driving of the merchants from the temple
Driving of the merchants from the temple is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Scarsellino. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Capitoline Museums.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1590 by the Ferrarese painter Scarsellino, this oil on canvas portrays the biblical incident in which Christ drives merchants from the Temple.
Created in 1590 by the Ferrarese painter Scarsellino, this oil on canvas portrays the biblical incident in which Christ drives merchants from the Temple. The composition is dominated by a central figure in vivid pink and green garments, brandishing a whip and gesturing forcefully, while surrounding characters react with alarm, retreat, or protest. The setting is an interior space suggested by darkened columns, heightening the scene’s tension.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualizes the Gospel narrative of cleansing the Temple, emphasizing the clash between sacred authority and commercial intrusion. By focusing on the decisive motion of the leading figure and the varied responses of the crowd, the painting underscores themes of moral purification and the disruption of profane activity within a holy precinct.
Technique & Style
Executed in the late Mannerist idiom, the painting employs elongated forms and exaggerated poses to convey drama. Scarsellino’s palette juxtaposes bright reds and greens against a muted background, directing attention to the central action. The brushwork balances detailed rendering of fabrics with broader, atmospheric treatment of the interior, creating a dynamic sense of movement.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the canvas entered the collection of the Capitoline Museums in Rome, where it remains on display. Its presence in a major civic museum reflects the work’s historical relevance as an example of Ferrarese Mannerism and its role in the broader narrative of Italian religious art of the late sixteenth century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Scarsellino or Ippolito Scarsella (1550 (or 1551) – 28 October 1620) was an Italian mid-to-late sixteenth century reformist painter and one of the most important representatives of the School of Ferrara.
