Christ driving the traders from the temple 1570

El Greco rendered Christ driving the traders from the temple in oil paint, likely on canvas, a common material in the 16th century. Notice how the paint is applied in energetic swirls, full of movement, reflecting the scene's chaotic energy. El Greco’s processes, from layering to blending, creates a sense of depth and drama, particularly in the figures’ robes and the architectural details. While the subject is religious, the scene has real-world parallels. The traders, driven out by Christ, represent commerce and material concerns encroaching upon the sacred. The painting raises questions about the role of labor and exchange within society. Were these tradespeople seen as legitimate contributors, or as exploiting the faithful? The artist has obviously taken the second position, emphasizing the moral implications of economic activity. Ultimately, El Greco used the materials and processes of painting not just to depict a biblical story, but to comment on the tensions between spirituality and commerce in his own time.