Le Jeudi saint célébré pour la première fois au Sint-Julianusgasthuis à Anvers en 1303
1889
Godfried Guffens transports us back to 1303 Antwerp in this detailed 1889 composition, capturing the very first Maundy Thursday foot-washing ceremony at the Sint-Julianusgasthuis. The scene is bustling with onlookers in medieval dress, all focused on the central act of humility where feet are being washed—a ritual symbolizing charity and service. Rendered in warm, monochromatic tones typical of the Academic movement, the piece feels like a dramatic historical snapshot. It highlights how 19th-century artists loved to romanticize the pious roots of their cities, turning local history into grand visual narratives.
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