Christ Purifying the Temple, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi

Art Historical Context

In the woodcut *Christ Purifying the Temple* from the 1507 devotional book *Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi* ("Mirror of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ"), Hans Schäufelein captures a dramatic biblical moment from the Gospel of John. Christ, whip in hand, drives out the money changers and merchants from the Jerusalem Temple, overturning tables in a bold act of righteous anger against corruption. This scene, surrounded by bustling figures of men and women, vividly illustrates themes of spiritual purity and divine authority, making it a powerful meditation for Renaissance viewers. Created during the German Renaissance, the print reflects Schäufele's expertise in woodcut—a relief printing technique ideal for mass-producing affordable illustrations in books. As a pupil of Albrecht Dürer, Schäufelein infused his work with intricate line work and expressive details, enhancing the narrative intensity. Published by Friedrich Peypus with text by Ulrich Pinder, this sheet from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection exemplifies how such prints democratized religious art, fostering personal devotion amid the era's growing literacy and Reformation stirrings. Measuring just 9 3/8 × 6 3/8 inches, its compact scale belies its cultural impact: a tangible link to early 16th-century piety, gifted to the Met in 1919 by Junius S. Morgan. Visitors today can appreciate how these vivid images bridged sacred scripture and everyday faith.

About the Artist

Hans Schäufelein|Ulrich Pinder|Friedrich Peypus · 1480–1540

Hans Schäufelein (c. 1480–c. 1540) was a German painter and graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance whose career placed him at the heart of one of the most dynamic artistic environments in European history. As a young man, he entered the workshop of Albrecht Dürer in Nuremberg, an experience that proved decisive: Dürer's meticulous approach to draughtsmanship, his mastery of printmaking, and hi...