Jesus Christ Dispelling the Merchants from the Temple - Jean Baptiste Haussard

A detailed 18th-century engraving by Jean Baptiste Haussard, depicting the biblical scene of Christ clearing the temple, based on a painting by Bartolomeo Manfredi.

This etching and engraving by Jean Baptiste Haussard depicts the biblical narrative of the Cleansing of the Temple. The composition is based on an original painting by the Italian Baroque artist Bartolomeo Manfredi. Haussard, a skilled French engraver, captures the dramatic tension of the scene through precise line work and a controlled tonal range. In the centre, Christ stands with a raised hand holding a cord, his expression firm as he confronts the money changers. The figures surrounding him display varied reactions of shock, fear, and confusion. One merchant recoils from the table, his back to the viewer, while others clutch their coins or look toward the central figure in alarm. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth, drawing the eye across the crowded interior space. Haussard employs a technique of cross-hatching to define the folds of the drapery and the musculature of the figures, reflecting the influence of Caravaggiesque naturalism present in Manfredi's original work. The inscription at the bottom identifies the source painting as being held in the Cabinet du Roi, confirming the print's role in documenting royal collections during the eighteenth century. The work demonstrates the technical precision required for reproductive printmaking, where the engraver translates the colour and brushwork of a painting into a monochromatic medium. This print offers a clear view into the aesthetic preferences of the period, where dramatic narrative scenes were highly valued for their emotional impact and technical execution.