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The Cleansing of the Temple
(Baroque Europe )
As told in the Gospel of Matthew, during Passover, Christ drove out the sellers of sacrificial animals and the money exchangers from the Temple in Jerusalem. Passeri imagined the Temple as a lavish structure in the ancient, classical style. Despite the chaotic, multi-figure scene, narrative clarity is achieved through expressive gestures, while the chastising Christ at center is set off by his halo of light. In Christian thought, the Temple of Jerusalem was a symbol of Christ. Luminous, light colors lend gracefulness to the dynamic composition.
For more information on this painting, please see Federico Zeri's 1976 catalogue no. 332, p. 458.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Geheimrat Lanz Collection, Berlin (?), Mannheim (?) [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Sale, J. Hecht Auction House, Charlottenburg, Berlin, May 14, 1928, lot 261 [attributed to Passeri by Hermann Voss]; Hugo Kafka Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Mr. and Mrs. Egon Kafka, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1974, by gift.
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 4/9/1984 | Treatment | other |
Geographies
Italy, Rome (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Painted surface H: 38 3/4 x W: 52 3/16 in. (98.5 x 132.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Egon Kafka, 1974
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.2512