After Rubens, 19th century

Dutch school of the 19th century.
After PETER PAUL RUBENS (Siegen, Germany, 1577 - Antwerp, Belgium, 1640).
"The tribute of the coin".
Oil on canvas.
Presents losses of paint and crack in the upper right.
It needs restoration.
Measurements: 48 x 61 cm.

Copy of Dutch school of Rubens' painting "The Tribute of the Coin", conserved in the Museum of Fine Arts of San Francisco. The painting is inspired by the episode in the Gospel of St. Matthew, where the Pharisees, in an attempt to trap Jesus with a verbal trap, ask him if it is fair to pay tribute to the Roman Caesar (taxes). The intention is to compromise him: if he says yes, he would lose the favor of the Jewish people, who reject the Roman occupation; if he says no, he could be accused of rebellion against Rome. Jesus responds with serenity and wisdom: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's". Jesus is placed in the compositional center, showing calm and nobility. Around Jesus, the Pharisees show intriguing and distrustful expressions. Their faces express defiance and doubt. The figures are in movement, with theatrical gestures that intensify the drama of the scene, typical of the baroque style.