The Tribute Money 1640

Salomon Koninck's "The Tribute Money" (1640) is a painting that depicts the biblical story of Jesus instructing his disciple Peter to pay the temple tax by taking a coin from a fish's mouth. The scene is set in a dark, interior space, highlighting the dramatic use of chiaroscuro, a technique favored by Dutch Golden Age artists. Koninck, a follower of Rembrandt, skillfully captures the emotional intensity of the moment, particularly in Jesus's outstretched hand and the awestruck expressions of the surrounding figures. This painting is a fine example of Koninck's mastery of light and shadow, and his ability to evoke a sense of religious awe and wonder.