Iconography

The iconography of the painting Christ Driving Money-lenders from the Temple is characteristic of the mentality that dominated in 16^th-century Antwerp. It illustrates the moral philosophy of the Renaissance Humanist Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536) who often used satire to advocate the teachings of Christian morals. The Humanist movement took also great interest in regional folklore, resulting in the depiction of proverbs, sayings and word-play in art.

The central iconography of the painting is taken from the New Testament. A direct reference is made to the Scriptual passage: „... and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.“ (John 2, 13–17). These words of wisdom can be interpreted in two ways: as a plea for austerity, but if seen in contemporary historical context, also as a criticism against the sale of indulgences.

The message of the painting can be summed up as follow: in the world were material values and mundane pleasures dominate, people live in deception and are doomed. The salvation offered by the faith in Christ’s redemptive death will remain out of reach for them.

The general imagery of the picture reminds that of  Hieronymus Bosch (1450–1516), whose art enjoyed a great revival in the mid 16th century.