In 1308, the city of Siena commissioned Duccio di Buoninsegna to paint an altarpiece for the city’s cathedral. Since the altar was in the center of the sanctuary, it had to be seen from both sides, and to miss seeing it was impossible: it stood seven feet tall and eleven feet wide! The front side shows a large enthroned Madonna and Child with saints and angels; along its bottom are images of Christ’s childhood.

Altar front

Altar back

The back side was composed of forty-three panels showing the life of the Virgin and the life of Christ. 

The Washing of Feet

Of particular interest to us is one of those panels showing a scene from the Lord’s Supper - the washing of feet. Peter is sitting with one foot in the water basin and the other in Jesus’ hand. His hands point to his head, and we can imagine Peter protesting, “Not only my feet but my hands and my head as well.” (Jn 13:9)

Though the scene is less often portrayed than the announcement of the betrayal, it is significant. Jesus is indicating how his followers should live in relationship to one another. “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (Jn 13:13-15)
    
Unfortunately, the altarpiece is no longer entire. In 1711, the altarpiece was sawn up, damaging several panels. Today parts of the altarpiece can be found in several museums of Europe and the United States. 

The people who first saw the altarpiece would be disappointed to know this, because “on that day when it was brought into the cathedral, all workshops remained closed, and the bishop commanded a great host of devoted priests and monks to file past in solemn procession. This was accompanied by all the high officers of the Commune and by all the people; all honorable citizens of Siena surrounded said panel with candles held in their hands, and women and children followed humbly behind. They accompanied the panel amidst the glorious pealing of bells after a solemn procession on the Piazza del Campo into the very cathedral; and all this out of reverence for the costly panel… The poor received many alms, and we prayed to the Holy Mother of God, our patron saint, that she might in her infinite mercy preserve this our city of Siena from every misfortune, traitor or enemy.”