The Expulsion of the Money-Changers from the Temple

The Expulsion of the Money-Changers from the Temple combines Lorenzo Ghiberti's skilled use of figurative portraiture in the foreground with touches of architectural perspective in the background

It is unfortunate that so much of the original artwork has been damaged from its display outdoors. The main impact has been the loss of gilt to the bronze, with each of the 28 panels now only having a little remaining. Comparing these to Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, the difference is considerable.

Figurative art was at its most frequent during the Renaissance, particularly within sculpture. The Baroque movement continued this to a certain degree, but modern art movements cover a very broad series of content where there is not a particularly dominant genre.

To understand more about the Renaissance beyond Lorenzo Ghiberti and some of the household names from this movement, perhaps check out the likes of Giovanni Bellini, Fra Angelico, Paolo Uccello and Piero della Francesca who also had a highly significant impact with their own respective oeuvres.

Ghiberti made use of assistants for this project of panels, managing to negotiate their wages to be paid directly by the donor. He also was supported financially for all of the materials, too. His requests included a purpose-built furnace specially made to complete each panel for the final twin doors.