De verdrijving van de wisselaars uit de tempel c. 1572 - 1576

Philips Galle engraved "The Expulsion of the Money Changers from the Temple" to relay a sacred story. Here, Christ is depicted with dynamic fury, a stark contrast to the scattering merchants. The money spilling from the overturned table isn’t merely coinage; it symbolizes corrupted faith and material greed. The act of cleansing sacred space isn’t unique to Christian theology. Consider the purification rituals practiced in ancient Greek temples, where the purging of defilement was essential before divine communion. This motif resurfaces, ever potent, in various forms across cultures. Christ’s raised hand, a gesture of command and righteousness, evokes the classical depictions of emperors asserting their dominion. This recurs throughout history, manifesting in political and religious art. It is not just a narrative scene, but a powerful call to moral purification. The intense emotion displayed is a raw, subconscious reminder of our continuous struggle between the sacred and the profane. This cycle perpetually renews, pushing society to purify and redefine its values across epochs.