78″ x 48″ or 200cm x 122cm., Venetian Smalti, Gold smalti, on aluminum honeycomb panel, 2022
In John 13:1-17 after the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of humility. Jesus washing a woman’s feet however, has never even been considered, let alone painted or drawn in the past.
Actually, the washing of feet practice appears in most of the hospitality customs in ancient civilizations, as sandals were the chief footwear in those days. A host would provide water to wash the guests’ feet, as seen in the Hebrew Bible. I personally thought that if indeed Mary Magdalene was the beloved of Jesus, a loyal, intelligent and spiritual follower, then it is possible if not probable that he would have included her when he washed the feet of the male apostles.
