Studies for foot in ‘Jesus Giving the Keys to Saint Peter’ c. 1817

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres made this oil study for a foot in ‘Jesus Giving the Keys to Saint Peter’, using traditional painting materials: canvas, brushes, and pigments. Ingres was a master of drawing and valued preliminary studies as part of the painting process. Looking closely, you can see the way the material of the paint allows for a high level of detail, modelling the foot in light and shadow. Note how the artist has blended the pigments to create a smooth, almost porcelain-like surface. This highlights Ingres's skilled technique, and the many hours of labor invested in achieving this level of refinement. Although the foot itself is not a particularly glamorous subject, Ingres's emphasis on craft elevates it to something special. This underscores how even seemingly mundane details can take on significance through the artist's touch. It reminds us to appreciate the labor and skill involved in making art.