Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Greco, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purification of the Temple |
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| Artist | El Greco |
| Year | 1600 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 42 cm × 52 cm (17 in × 20 in) |
| Location | Frick Collection, New York City |
Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple is a famous painting created by the artist El Greco between 1595 and 1600. It is currently displayed at the Frick Collection in New York City. This artwork shows an important event from the life of Jesus, known as the Cleansing of the Temple.
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What is the Painting About?
This painting shows a moment when Jesus visited the Temple and found people using it for business instead of prayer. The Temple was a holy place, but merchants were selling animals for sacrifices, and money changers were exchanging currency. Jesus became upset because he felt they were disrespecting the sacred space. He drove them out, saying that his Father's house should be a "house of prayer," not a "den of robbers."
El Greco's painting captures this dramatic scene. You can see Jesus in the center, actively pushing people away. The painting is full of movement and strong emotions, which is typical of El Greco's unique style.
About the Artist: El Greco
El Greco was a Greek painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance. His real name was Doménikos Theotokópoulos, but he was known as El Greco, which means "The Greek." He is famous for his dramatic and expressive paintings, often featuring tall, stretched-out figures and bright, unusual colors. He painted many religious scenes, and his work is known for its strong spiritual feeling.
Other Versions of This Painting
El Greco painted the scene of "Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple" several times throughout his career. This shows how important the story was to him. There are three other known versions of this painting, plus a very good copy in the National Gallery in London. Art experts have recently agreed that the London version is also an original work by El Greco.
Two of the other versions, and one on loan from Madrid, are titled Purification of the Temple. The version at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., is called Christ Cleansing the Temple. Each version has slight differences, but they all show the same powerful moment from the Bible.
See also
In Spanish: La expulsión de los mercaderes (El Greco, Nueva York) para niños
- List of works by El Greco
