This painting by Han van Meegeren depicts the biblical scene of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. The muted colour palette and soft rendering of the figures create a sombre and reflective mood.

Han van Meegeren (1889-1947) was a Dutch painter and art forger, best known for his successful imitations of the Dutch Masters, particularly Johannes Vermeer. His forgeries fooled experts and collectors alike, earning him considerable wealth before his exposure after World War II. To avoid a treason charge for selling Dutch cultural property to the Nazis, he confessed to forgery. He was convicted, imprisoned, and died shortly after. His story remains a cautionary tale about art authentication and the power of deception in the art world. 'The Washing of the Feet' depicts a scene from the New Testament, specifically the moment when Jesus washes the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper. The composition is arranged around a table where Jesus, dressed in blue robes, is shown attending to a kneeling figure. Other figures surround the table, their faces displaying a range of emotions from contemplation to concern. The colour palette is muted, dominated by blues, browns, and ochres, which gives the painting a sombre and reflective mood. The figures are rendered with a soft, almost blurred quality, reminiscent of the style of the Old Masters that van Meegeren imitated.