Studieblad 1803 - 1842

This 'Studieblad' was created by Anthonie Willem Hendrik Nolthenius de Man in the early 19th century. Look closely at the feet, a motif that carries deep echoes through art history. Feet, often overlooked, symbolize foundation, movement, and the journey of life. In religious art, think of the washing of feet, a gesture of humility and service. Here, these studies of feet invite us to consider our own grounding and direction. The presence of disembodied feet might strike us as odd, but in earlier times, the fragment held its own power, suggesting a larger, perhaps divine, narrative. Consider the fragment of a foot from a Roman sculpture; even isolated, it speaks volumes about strength, beauty, and the legacy of a vanished civilization. These studies transcend mere anatomy; they resonate with our collective memory, tapping into subconscious associations of walking, pilgrimage, and the very essence of being human. It reminds us that the journey is as significant as the destination.