Heliodorus driven from the Temple
1660
oil
From the collection of Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
1660
oil
From the collection of Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
This painting depicts a chaotic scene with multiple figures in a grand, columned space. A man on a white horse charges forward, wielding a sword and spear, as people around him react in fear and scramble to get out of the way. In the background, a large red curtain hangs from the ceiling, and several archways are visible, adding to the sense of drama and tension. The overall atmosphere is one of turmoil and urgency. To learn more about the use of chiaroscuro in paintings like this, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.