Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles
1480
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1480
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows Jesus kneeling to wash the feet of his disciples. They sit around a low table, some looking surprised, others watching closely. Outside, a group of people works on a building. The lines are sharp and dark, making every fold of cloth and muscle clear. Notice how the artist used tiny parallel lines to build up shadows—this is called cross-hatching. It makes the scene feel solid and real. Want to see how this technique works up close? Look at Israhel van Meckenem’s other engravings.
