Christ driving the Traders from the Temple

Christ raises his arm as bodies recoil around him. Red and blue drapery intensify the twist of his torso, while a bright yellow cloth draws attention to one of the figures in his path. The scene comes from the Gospel accounts of Christ expelling traders from the Temple in Jerusalem. Animals were being sold for sacrifice, and the building’s use for commerce provoked his anger. El Greco, a painter born in Crete who later worked in Spain, made several versions of the subject. In this picture of about 1600, carved scenes on the architecture extend the argument. The expulsion of Adam and Eve appears near the traders, while Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son stands behind the apostles. The reliefs connect the action with other biblical stories of disobedience and faith. The subject also interested Catholics seeking religious reform in the sixteenth century. In the image, exaggerated gestures and concentrated colour give that confrontation immediate energy. Each turning body helps carry Christ’s movement across the crowded space.