Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples
1725
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1725
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
You see twelve men in a grand room, one kneeling to wash another’s foot while the rest watch. Bertin painted this scene like a stage play—bright robes, dramatic poses, and a fancy palace backdrop. He borrowed the look from 16th-century Venice, where artists loved big, colorful crowds. The quiet moment feels almost like a performance, not just a Bible story. Look up the technique called *glazing* to see how Bertin built up those glowing colors.
