Studie van twee voeten 1579 - 1582

Federico Barocci made this drawing of two feet with chalk on gray paper. The Italian Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical antiquity, which included a fascination with the human body, often idealized. Academies of art in Italy, which formed in the 16th century, emphasized rigorous training in anatomy and life drawing. This study of feet likely served a practical purpose, as an exercise in rendering the complex forms of the human body. Barocci was known for his preparatory drawings; they reveal the artist’s process and dedication to perfecting his figures. In Renaissance workshops, drawings were crucial tools for training, collaboration, and the creation of finished artworks. The survival of this work gives art historians insights into artistic training and workshop practices of Barocci’s time. Examination of artists' drawings provides valuable perspectives into how art was produced in the Renaissance, and the social and institutional contexts that shaped its creation.