Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple

"Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple" is a potent 1635 print created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669. Executed as an etching on ivory laid paper, this work exemplifies the master's technical maturity in graphic media. Produced during the height of the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands, the etching technique allowed Rembrandt to capture complex narratives with dynamic effects of light and shadow, a signature characteristic of his style.

The piece dramatically depicts the biblical moment of Christ's furious expulsion of merchants and financiers from the Temple, symbolizing the purification of the sacred space. Rembrandt uses sharp, expressive lines typical of 17th-century Northern European prints to render the chaos, contrasting the righteous anger of Christ with the visible panic of the fleeing vendors and their scattered livestock. The careful handling of the etching needle provides exceptional texture and depth, particularly in the dark corners, heightening the emotional urgency of the confrontation.

This significant print is housed within the prestigious collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Rembrandt’s masterful composition and unparalleled skill in manipulating the copper plate ensured the enduring popularity of this image across centuries. As one of the most celebrated printmakers of his era, this etching demonstrates why much of Rembrandt's graphic work is frequently studied and made available today through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to the dramatic intensity of his 1635 creation.