Tintoretto

Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples
c. 1547 (click on image to view larger)

While in Madrid I visited the Museo Del Prado, where there is a great collection of Spanish and Italian art. The Goyas were plentiful and amazing as well as the Velasquez room. I spent more time with certain paintings and focused on my interest, the Venetians. There were Titians that I never imagined seeing in person but what really held my attention was Tintoretto. An apprentice to Titian who surpassed him in many ways with his radical compositions.
Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples is a huge painting. Tintoretto explores atmospheric perspective with the dog in detail front and center and the figures less developed as they move into the background. The background changes into different indoor and outdoor environments. What I like the most about this painting is the skilled perspective work of the floor. The effect is hypnotizing as the floor stretches across most of the foreground of the painting.