PANNINI, Giovanni Paolo
(b. 1691, Piacenza, d. 1765, Roma)

Expulsion of the Moneychangers from the Temple

c. 1724
Oil on canvas, 74 x 99 cm
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

Pannini's compositions focused on real and imaginary architecture, which he used to recreate the world of classical antiquity, following Poussin's idealizing approach conceptually if not stylistically. In this painting, the religious subject is merely an excuse to produce grand settings with architectural backgrounds.