Christ Washing the Apostles' Feet

German 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a group of figures gathered, with one kneeling and performing a gesture on another's foot, while other figures are seated around them. The scene is framed with a bold rectangular border. The figures are illustrated in a linear style with simplified forms, and the color palette includes earthy tones with touches of green and gold hues. The central figure kneels before another, who is seated, and appears engaged in an act of washing or anointing feet. The setup suggests an intimate gathering or ritual scene. The illustration is stylized, employing simple yet expressive lines to depict facial expressions and garments, giving it a woodcut appearance.