Saturday, July 11, 2009

Bronze Feet



This painting, on an 11"x14" linen canvas, is of a corner of the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. The sculpture is of a woman in a classic contrapposto (maybe representing Aphrodite because she's classically beautiful--but, I didn't read the label). Here, of course, all you see are her feet and the shadow of her body and outstretched fingers.

I've been attending a small crit group, and the conversation veered to a famous painter who paints people but never paints feet. So, of course, I came home and found myself painting only feet. So, here's one for those amongst us who enjoy feet.

10 comments:

  1. Feet are so hard to draw or paint. You managed well!
    Cute the story behind the work...:-)

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  2. Jean Spitzer: The Painter of Feet!

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  3. Thanks, Annie.

    CP, it's a catchy slogan, great for marketing.

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  4. The painting is approximately one foot x one foot?

    (Oh god, you should have seen the ones I almost used.)

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  5. fabulous - brilliant feet and they are difficult and lovely light

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  6. for all the time I spent in figure painting/drawing classes I've never heard the term "contapposto". I want my money back! State Schools...blah

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  7. Thanks, vivien.

    PA, I'd heard the term (and forgotten it), and wanted a short-hand for the pose, so google to the rescue.

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  8. I do like that you have a contrary spirit.

    WV: Kinglate. Start dinner without him.

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  9. Not a bad description.

    I kind of wish I'd copied some of the best feet at the Norton Simon, which are those of the Burghers of Calais ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burghers_of_Calais , to see these figures by Rodin). At the N-S, they are cast as a completed group, and there are also castings of some individual figures that are studies for the sculpture. I really do need to get back there, soon.

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