“Heresy is an opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system.” During the 16th century, the Counter Reformation took place as a response to the Protestant Reformation, which happened as a result of people committing heresy. El Greco, drew this painting to relate to what was happening at that period, based off the words of the Christian bible.
The painting shows Jesus striding through the temple area and driving out all who were buying and selling there. He is overturning the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he says to them, ‘“My house will be called a house of prayer,” but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'” (Book of Matthew, Chapter 21, Verses 12-13)
We are already able to discover an allusion to the Christian Bible as the first rhetorical device El Greco applies. This work of art is very shocking to the believers of this religion because it portrays Christ using violence. If you look closely at the picture, you can see Christ - in the center - lashing out at the vendors - to the left - with a whip-like belt. You can also see the broken table laying on its side, right in front of Jesus, which is explained by the bible verse “He overturned the tables of the money changers….” For a leading historical and religious figure known for his patience, forgiveness, and nonviolence, Christ is depicted as the total opposite of his typical character. El Greco would’ve been able to evoke powerful emotions during his time with this painting with just the whip alone.
The religious significance is great because the painting shows just how sacredly Jesus regarded the temple and how greatly he was offended by the acts of commerce in a place of worship for his father. Greco succeeded in delineating Christ in a new light as not just the son of God who forgives all, but he proves that Christ revered his Father so greatly that he went to such lengths to go against his own moralities to violently banish the sinners from the temple, hence, “purifying” the temple.
Grabbing your attention with a red robe and blue sash amongst the rest of the hues of green and yellow, Jesus demands your attention as soon as your eyes land on the painting. (He’s also quite blatantly at the center of the painting, so you know that he’s the main focus here.) El Greco’s use of the varieties of distinct colors also further accomplish a sense of uproar, almost as if he was trying to paint an explosion. To the left, you see the people who were committing sin cowering in absolute fear of this furious side of Jesus, and you know how great their sin is because above them is a painting of God kicking Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, which symbolizes sin. This painting above them is relevant to the sinners situation. Their great transgression was corrupting a sacred place of worship. The temple was built in devotion to the Lord and only the Lord, but to use this hallowed ground to make profit for their own selfish greed was blasphemous.
To the right, you’ll be able to see the righteous believers commenting on the commotion going on at the left. Their expressions and gestures depict their disbelief in the sinners wrongdoings. In contrast to the painting to the left, above them is the relief of the sacrifice of Isaac. It represents an incident in the bible where Abraham was told (by God) to sacrifice his only son Isaac as an offering to God. Although he suffered from immense despair, his faith and fear of the Lord were far greater, for he took his son to the specified altar and was about to stab him with a knife. But at that last moment, an angel appeared and stopped Abraham and told him that he had shown great reverence and fear in the Lord and that he and his offspring would be blessed. The painting juxtaposes the people to the right who would not dare to dirty the temple of their Lord with acts of heresy.
The structure and architecture of the Frick Museum screamed prestige and grandeur. The columns and vine-like designs and engravings gave off a renaissance-aura and helped me become engulfed by the story the paintings were telling me. The high ceilings and thick, marble walls evoked a sense of elegance and luxuriousness, while the different types of lighting in each room helped evoke a variety of emotions that were prompted by the message the artist was trying to convey. The diversity of carpets and rugs, their different textures, colors, and even thickness also added flavor to help enhance the room’s theme. “The Library” interested me the most, maybe because it was the first room I explored, maybe because I enjoy books, but it was the quiet atmosphere of stillness that really reached out to me. Although I knew that this was an arranged area made to look like a “library”, I couldn’t help feeling that it was real. The wood that the desk and shelves were made of, the dim lighting, the brown theme, and the solemnity of the various cloths that made up the curtains all fell right into place with my criteria of a “library”.
WORKS CITED
"Adam and Eve are Cast out of the Garden: The Disobedience of Adam and Eve Forfeited the Blessing of Paradise" Share Faith. Web. 08 December 2013.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV. Biblica, Inc
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV. Biblica, Inc