The Washing of the Feet

The Quirinale tapestry at the exhibition "In the shadow of Leonardo" at the Venaria Reale

By Quirinale Palace

Exhibition "In Leonardo's shadow. Tapestries and ceremonies at the papal court", Venaria RealeQuirinale Palace

In the shadow of Leonardo

The exhibition is dedicated to the main sacred ceremonies that took place at the papal court on the occasion of Easter, narrated in the rooms of the Venaria Reale through the display of a tapestry taken from Leonardo's Last Supper and other important works.

Washing of the feet, Exhibition "In Leonardo's shadow. Tapestries and ceremonies at the papal court", Venaria Reale by Gobelins manufacture, Pierre François Cozette's atelier, cartoons by Jean RestoutQuirinale Palace

The Quirinal tapestry

Among the prestigious cloths on display, there is a tapestry depicting the Washing of the feet, from the Quirinale.

The ceremony of the washing of the feet generally took place in the Vatican palaces but in at least one case it also took place at the Quirinale, formerly the papal palace.

It depicts Jesus in the act of washing the apostles' feet at the last supper. A gesture that the pope performed every year on Holy Thursday.

The washing of the feet is one of the most important ceremonies of Holy Week.

The Last Supper and the Washing of the feet, Exhibition "In Leonardo's shadow. Tapestries and ceremonies at the papal court", Venaria RealeQuirinale Palace

The Tapestry of the Vatican Museums

Among the many works on display to the public in the exhibition, there is the precious Leonardo tapestry of the Last Supper, from the Vatican Museums.

On the making of the tapestry perhaps Leonardo himself was no stranger in his French years.

The Washing of the Feet

The tapestry was made in the mid-18th century in France and was given as a gift by Napoleon Bonaparte to Pope Pius VII.

Washing of the feet, Exhibition "In Leonardo's shadow. Tapestries and ceremonies at the papal court", Venaria RealeQuirinale Palace

The Tapestry of the Vatican Museums

Leonardo's tapestry is the protagonist of some of the main sacred ceremonies that took place at the papal court on the occasion of Easter, in particular the Coena Domini and, as in this image, the Washing of the feet.

The Last Supper and the Washing of the feet, Exhibition "In Leonardo's shadow. Tapestries and ceremonies at the papal court", Venaria RealeQuirinale Palace

The Quirinale and the Vatican palaces

With the joint display of the two tapestries, the exhibition therefore makes it possible to "unite" the two palaces, as they were once united, and to establish a dialogue between two large residences that represent an important historical heritage of the country.

Watch the interview with the curator of the exhibition

The story of the exhibition "In the shadow of Leonardo" by one of the curators, Andrea Merlotti.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Quirinale Palace

Quirinale Palace

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