Created between 1623 and 1624, The Tribute Money is one of Anton Van Dyck’s masterpieces, now housed in the Galleria di Palazzo Bianco in Genoa. Measuring 147 x 135 cm, the painting addresses a complex biblical theme that intertwines the concepts of money, political authority, and religious fidelity.
The Biblical Context and the Tribute to Caesar
The painting is based on an episode from the Gospel of Matthew (22:15-22), in which the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a tricky question: “Is it lawful to pay the tribute to Caesar?” They hope to create a dilemma for Jesus—if he answers “no,” he would challenge Roman authority, but if he answers “yes,” he risks alienating the Jewish people, who are oppressed by Roman taxation. In response, Jesus asks them to show him a coin, and upon seeing Caesar’s image on it, he delivers his famous answer: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s.”
The Depiction of Money in Van Dyck’s Work
Van Dyck captures this crucial moment by focusing on the coin itself. A Pharisee holds the tribute coin in front of Jesus, while another examines it closely, drawing attention to both the image and the inscription on the coin. The coin becomes the focal point of a dialogue about loyalty and power, symbolizing both Caesar’s earthly authority and the spiritual detachment that Jesus advocates regarding material possessions.
The presence of Caesar’s effigy on the coin is a clear reminder of political and temporal power, while Jesus’ response elevates the conversation to a higher spiritual level. He urges a distinction between material obligations and spiritual devotion. In this context, money is not merely an instrument of economic exchange; it becomes a symbol of the larger conflict between earthly power and religious faith.
Money as a Dual Symbol: Power and Devotion
Van Dyck’s choice to focus on the coin and the interaction around it highlights the dual nature of money in sacred art. On one hand, the coin represents Roman dominance and secular power; on the other hand, it becomes a tool through which Jesus delivers a moral lesson: money belongs to the material world and to Caesar, while spiritual matters belong solely to God.
The phrase “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s,” depicted in the painting with Jesus raising his hand toward heaven, echoes the need to separate material duties from spiritual obligations. In this sense, money is portrayed as something transient, tied to the earthly realm, while faith and devotion belong to a higher, divine order.
The Symbolic Power of the Coin in Van Dyck’s Painting
Anton Van Dyck’s The Tribute Money is not just a depiction of a biblical scene, but a profound commentary on the nature of money and its role in human life. The coin in the painting becomes a symbol of duality: it represents both power and oppression on one side, and spirituality and detachment on the other. Through this symbolism, Van Dyck reflects an eternal conflict between earthly authority and fidelity to God—an issue that remains relevant in modern discussions about the separation of political and religious power.