The artwork “Christ Washing Peter’s Feet” by Albrecht Dürer, dated 1511, is part of “The Small Passion” series and represents a religious theme from the Northern Renaissance era. This woodcut medium piece is currently housed at the British Museum in London, UK.
The artwork itself depicts the biblical scene where Jesus is shown washing the feet of his disciple Peter, which is an act of humility and service. The scene takes place within an interior setting, possibly a room or hall. Several figures are present, witnessing the act. Jesus is centered, bending over a basin as he washes Peter’s foot, while Peter is seated, his expression conveying a mixed sense of surprise and humility. The other figures in the room seem engaged in conversation and observation of the act. The woodcut shows intricate details and contrasts, with Dürer’s expertise in crafting depth and texture through the medium evident in the details of the clothing, facial expressions, and architectural elements. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling adds to the setting, giving a sense of place and time. The attention to detail and the emotion conveyed through this scene is characteristic of the Northern Renaissance’s focus on realism and human emotion.
