He carries a large jug of water.
Bible in art · John
The Washing of the Feet (Le lavement des pieds)
James Tissot · 1886–1894
Brooklyn Museum, New York
In the same garlanded room of the supper, the disciples sit along the walls on benches and couches, their sandals left on the floor. Jesus walks among them with a jug of water in his hands, a long cloth hanging from his shoulders.
A disciple kneels at a basin on the floor, and another at the right leans forward to see. Tissot kept the scene quiet and low-lit, in browns and soft reds.
From the text
- He “wrapped a towel around His waist” (John 13:4)
- “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:5)
The artist’s own
- Sandals left in a row on the floor
- The disciples waiting along the walls
Details
Jesus
The basin
A round basin stands on the floor.
Waiting
A disciple in orange sits on a bench.
Sandals
Sandals lie on the floor by the benches.
James Tissot, French, 1836–1902. Brooklyn Museum, New York (Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.222) · Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper · Brooklyn Museum (Commons file page, «Permission»): "This image was uploaded by the Brooklyn Museum as a content partnership, and is considered to have no known copyright restrictions by the institutions of the Brooklyn Museum." — "No known copyright restrictions".