Who painted Studies of Feet?

Studies of Feet was painted by Walter Shirlaw in 1872.

Where can I see Studies of Feet?

Studies of Feet is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Studies of Feet?

Studies of Feet is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Studies of Feet

Walter Shirlaw , 1872

Studies of Feet is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Walter Shirlaw. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Walter Shirlaw’s drawing entitled *Studies of Feet* dates from around 1872. Executed in graphite on laid paper, the work consists of several quick sketches of a single pair of bare feet, each rendered from a different angle. The purpose of the study was to explore the anatomy and movement of the foot rather than to serve as a finished composition.

Subject & Meaning

The sketches focus exclusively on the human foot, presenting it in a variety of poses: a top‑down view of the toes, a profile of the heel, and a glimpse of the sole. By isolating the foot from any narrative context, Shirlaw emphasizes the structural qualities of the form, using the studies as a visual investigation of balance, weight distribution, and the subtle shifts that occur during motion.

Technique & Style

Shirlaw employed a light, controlled graphite application, varying pressure to achieve a range of tonal values that suggest volume. The soft, fluid lines and delicate shading create a modest chiaroscuro effect, allowing the flat paper surface to convey three‑dimensional shape. The absence of color directs attention to line quality and the gradations of gray that model the foot’s contours.

History & Provenance

Created during the early 1870s, the drawing likely served as a preparatory exercise for Shirlaw’s teaching practice or for a larger painted work in development.

Created during the early 1870s, the drawing likely served as a preparatory exercise for Shirlaw’s teaching practice or for a larger painted work in development. While the piece has remained within private collections for much of its existence, it has been documented in exhibition catalogues of 19th‑century American drawing practices, confirming its attribution to Shirlaw and its approximate date of execution.