Christ Washing Saint Peter's Feet, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi
Medium
Woodcut
Dimensions
Sheet: 9 1/2 × 6 3/8 in. (24.1 × 16.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Junius S. Morgan, 1919
Accession Number
19.52.40
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
About this artwork
[Research in progress for Christ Washing Saint Peter's Feet, from Speculum passionis domini nostri Ihesu Christi by Hans Schäufelein|Ulrich Pinder|Friedrich Peypus, 1507]
Art Historical Context
In the woodcut *Christ Washing Saint Peter's Feet from the 1507 devotional book *Speculum passionisini nostri Ihesu* ("Mirror of the Passion of Lord Jesus Christ"), German artist Hans Schäufelein a pivotal moment from the Gospel of John (13:1-17). Here, Jesus humbly washes the feet of Saint Peter, symbolizing service, humility, and the reversal of social hierarchies during the Last Supper. Commissioned by author Ulrich Pinder and published Friedrich Peypus in Nuremberg this print is part of a series of 32 woodcuts designed to guide laypeople through Christ's Passion, blending scripture with visual meditation for spiritual edification. Schäufelein, a pupil of Albrecht Dürer and key figure in the Northern Renaissance, employs the woodcut medium—a relief printing technique ideal for mass-producing affordable illustrations in books. The compact sheet (9 1/2 × 6 3/8 in.) features intricate line work that conveys emotion and narrative detail, with figures like Christ and Peter rendered in expressive poses amid a group of men and women. This technique democratized religious art, making profound theological scenes accessible beyond elite circles. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Junius S. Morgan, 1919), the print reflects early 16th-century Germany's vibrant print culture, where woodcuts fueled the Reformation's emphasis on personal devotion. A timeless reminder of Christ's servant leadership, it invites visitors to ponder humility in everyday life.
About the Artist
Hans Schäufelein|Ulrich Pinder|Friedrich Peypus · 1480–1540
Hans Schäufelein (c. 1480–c. 1540) was a German painter and graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance whose career placed him at the heart of one of the most dynamic artistic environments in European history. As a young man, he entered the workshop of Albrecht Dürer in Nuremberg, an experience that proved decisive: Dürer's meticulous approach to draughtsmanship, his mastery of printmaking, and hi...