Christ driving the money changers from the temple was one of the most popular subjects throughout Europe in the seventeenth century and was subject to a wide variety of treatments. These ranged from the semi-humorous Jan Steen (Leiden, Stedelijk Museum ‘De Lakenhal’) to the intense approach of Caravaggesque artists such as Baburen here. The composition is especially complex as the artist has used the commonly found Carravaggesque conceit of putting the main figure away from the centre of the composition. On the extreme left Christ wields a flail driving all before him, while those on the right, as yet unaffected, stare in surprise and amazement. The picture is of particular importance in reconstructing the artist’s short career as its date situates it firmly within the two years he spent in Utrecht.

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