Topic > Visual analysis of the painting The Expulsion of the Money Changers

For the visual description I decided to write about the oil on panel painting attributed to the Master of the Kress Epiphany and related to Dutch art, which is a 1988 gift from Joey and Toby Tanenbaum, in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario. The title of the work, The Expulsion of the Money Changers, dated around 1500, does not take into account the historical meaning that can fully represent the idea of ​​a work of art. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay With a vertical structure of approximately 167 x 98 cm, the painting illustrates a real place using bright, visible brushstrokes; therefore, the texture of the painting is smooth. Considering the general impression, even the figures and shapes, which are accurately depicted, do not propose an exact interpretation that gives the meaning of the work which remains its mysterious charm. For this reason, the artwork designed by Master of the Kress Epiphany is visually captivating from every side, and as the viewer examines it gaining a new way of thinking and a master concept of the domain of painting, new details and values. While the painting's title does not provide a full understanding of the artwork, its content is appealing as most of the action comes off-center, with Jesus depicted raging through the chapel and swinging a flail to scare the money changers. distant. In this piece, the central action is replaced from the inside of the church to the outside of the entrance. On the back of the temple there is a view of Jerusalem. The powerful image of Christ is located on the left side of the composition. The rich, deep red of his robe sets it off against the multi-colored, mostly olive green and other dark colors of the image. The flow of light that passes through the center of the chapel seems to separate Christ, emphasizing the dynamic image of his movement. He illustrates it from above and therefore his facial expression remains indelible and cannot be indicated; however, such insignificant clues allow viewers to think about the historical context of the work. The expulsion of the money changers is a significant part of the late 15th century dramatic representation conceived by the Master of the Kress Epiphany. In those days, artists had a weakness for classical and biblical matters; as a result, they demonstrated these themes in their painting. In the work described, Jesus, who holds his right hand raised with a scourge ready to strike the outgoing money changers, is the center of this element of the fresco. Considering the historical context, the Torah commanded Jews to go to church on three holy days, in the meantime they were expected to offer an animal sacrifice and pay homage. Traditionally traders lingered outside the church to exchange currency and market animals and promotional items for sacrifice. Artists of the Renaissance era created this painting, illustrating it in a more figurative than realistic way and style. The money changers, who stand outside, and the citizens bystanders have the same expression on their faces. Additionally, the farm animals that were presumably exchanged for sacrifice, are illustrated outside the image on two sides of the painting, representing a precursor to the running money changers. Beginning in the 13th century, local authorities, bishops, and kings throughout Western Europe permanently ordered the expulsion of foreign citizens who lent money at interest. The punishment would be if these people, especially Christians originally from Northern Italy, rose up in a context of growing concerns about the social and cultural consequences of a rapidly changing credit economic system..