Maundy Thursday

Washing the Feet

Duccio

1308-1311

Tomorrow is Good Friday and today is Maundy Thursday. The word (pronounced mawn-dee) comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means "command." 

The night before Jesus was crucified, he had supper with his disciples. In an astonishing act of humility, he washed their feet. On that day, he made a perfect command:

 "That you love one another, 
just like I have loved you." 

John 13:34–35

 The Last Supper

Duccio, 1308-1311

I found these paintings on an art blog called It's About Time.  The facial expressions of the disciples are wonderful.  These are not frescoes. Duccio was a master of tempura and gold leaf on wood panel. 

His style was similar to Byzantine art, but not as formal. He had a refined sense of emotion and the characters interact softly with each other. The religious scenes are familiar, but the style more experimental and his influence is seen in the work of many later painters.

The Calling of Apostles Peter and Andrew

Duccio

We have some Easter week traditions.  I plan a nice dinner for Sunday.  John buys me an Easter lily. We watch something from our collection of campy "Roman" movies, like Ben Hur, Sparatucus, or Demetrius and the Gladiators.  

This year it's Quo Vadis in Blueray (whoa!) which looks incredibly better than it ever did in 1951 at the movie theater.  It's a long 3 hour plus movie, so we're breaking it up.  Tonight, the Christians are in the arena with the lions, and the predictable finish.  Oh, they just don't make films like that anymore.

Finally, rain or shine, I always clean the outside windows before Easter Sunday.  On no uncertain terms, John is instructed to mow the lawn, which is usually the first mow of the season.  I think it's unlucky not to make those simple preparations for the holiday.

Unfortunately, Amanda, Tom and the kids can't come to Seattle this time, and we'll really miss two little sugar high girls running around.  But we have a nice grown-up day to look forward to, with our friends Betsy and Paul coming for Easter lunch.  It's going to rain, but I'm still planning to make lamb chops on the grill.  John says Paul can hold the umbrella over my head while he stays inside drinking champagne with Betsy.