The Expulsion from the Temple 1548

Maarten van Heemskerck created this print, "The Expulsion from the Temple," with a burin. Christ stands defiant, whip in hand, driving out the merchants and money-changers. This act symbolizes a purification, a cleansing of the sacred space from corruption. The motif of driving out the unrighteous echoes through time. We see similar scenes in antiquity, where heroes cleanse temples defiled by monsters or sacrilege. These narratives tap into a primal desire for order and purity, a longing for the sacred to be protected from the profane. Consider the raised hand, the sweeping gesture of banishment. This is not merely physical action; it is a declaration, an assertion of moral authority. Think of similar gestures in ancient Roman art or Renaissance depictions of divine judgment—a lineage of symbolic language that resonates deeply within our collective consciousness. The expulsion is not simply an event; it's a recurring symbol of renewal. This print allows us to see that the human psyche eternally grapples with themes of purity, corruption, and the relentless cyclical quest for redemption.