Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple" is a mesmerizing fresco that illustrates a dramatic biblical episode found in the Second Book of Maccabees (3:21-28). In the center of the composition, Heliodorus, the treasurer of King Seleucus IV, is violently expelled from the Temple of Jerusalem by a heavenly figure on horseback.

Raphael captures this pivotal moment with incredible dynamism and detail:

1. Composition and Movement:
- The painting is divided into two main segments. Towards the left, the serene, divine scene involves the prayer of the high priest Onias. On the right, the chaos unfolds with Heliodorus being overpowered by the divine messenger on horseback, accompanied by youthful angels.
- The central figure is the armed celestial horseman, his active pose, and the musculature of the horse depicted in such a way that emphasizes speed and power.

2. Characters and Expressions:
- Heliodorus is seen falling backward, his facial expression a mix of terror and disbelief. His posture suggests sudden force, with his legs elevated and arms trying to protect himself.
- Visible around Heliodorus are his attendants, who also express shock and confusion, portrayed with vivid gestures and richly adorned garments.
- On the left side, the high priest Onias prays earnestly, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the tumult of Heliodorus' ejection.

3. Color and Light:
- Raphael employs a rich palette of colors, utilizing reds, blues, and golds to separate divine figures from the profane scene of expulsion.
- Light in the fresco enhances the divine influence; the heavenly figures are illuminated with an ethereal glow, emphasizing their supernatural origin, while Heliodorus and his men are cloaked in deeper shadows, suggesting their earthliness and fallibility.

4. Architectural Details and Perspective:
- The fresco demonstrates Raphael's mastery of perspective. The architectural setting of the Temple is rendered with impressive depth, featuring grand columns and intricate ceiling beams that create a believable sacred space.
- The figures are scaled proportionately to this vast temple interior, creating a sense of grandeur and scale.

Contextual and Historical Information:

Artist's Career and Artistic Movement:
- Raphael, a quintessential figure of the High Renaissance, painted this fresco during his Roman period, under the patronage of Pope Julius II. This period marked the height of his career, showcasing his evolution into a mature master artist.
- The fresco is part of a larger commission to decorate the rooms which came to be known as the Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello). These works include other masterpieces like "The School of Athens" and are pivotal in exemplifying the grandeur and intellectual vibrancy of the Renaissance.

Significance and Influence:
- The thematic choice of the divine intervention and moral message in "The Expulsion of Heliodorus" aligns with the teachings of the Church and sought to convey the power of divine justice against sacrilege and impiety.
- This fresco not only highlights Raphael's prowess in handling complex narrative and composition but also reflects the Renaissance ideals of combining biblical moralistic storytelling with classical artistic techniques.
- The piece was influential in setting new standards for fresco painting, impacting contemporaries and future generations of artists.

Noteworthy Details:
- Pope Julius II is included in the fresco as a spectator, depicted in a seated position carried in a chair to the left of the composition. This intentional insertion underscores the connection between the divine authority defended by innocent prayer and the temporal authority of the Church.
- The work also demonstrates Raphael's collaborative approach, involving his workshop in the large-scale execution while retaining his unmistakable style.

"The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple" remains a salient example of how High Renaissance art could convey complex narratives with emotional depth, dynamic composition, and theological significance, epitomizing Raphael’s unrivaled talent and the rich cultural canvas of his time.