Studies of Feet [verso]

Studies of Feet [verso] by Edgar Degas, executed in 1855, is an exemplary early work classified as a drawing. Rendered with graphite on laid paper, this piece demonstrates the young artist's dedication to meticulous academic anatomical study, which was essential for developing the dynamic and grounded compositions for which he would later become renowned. The drawing belongs firmly to the French cultural output of the mid-19th century, specifically the transitional period of 1851 to 1875, when French art was shifting from strict neoclassicism toward more modern realism.

This detailed study focuses intensely on the musculature and skeletal structure of the foot, captured from multiple angles. The chosen medium, graphite, afforded Degas the ability to capture subtle tonal shifts through varying pressure and detailed contours using precise line work. Given its classification as a study on the verso (back side) of a sheet, the piece emphasizes rapid observation and foundational practice rather than finished presentation. Degas employs economical lines to delineate the various poses, showcasing his early command of human anatomy. Such detailed draftsmanship was crucial to his career, enabling him to accurately depict figures in complex, often uncomfortable, motions.

Although less celebrated than his later pastels or oils, works like Studies of Feet [verso] provide critical insight into the artist’s formal training and artistic origins. The careful execution reveals Degas’s initial adherence to academic standards before he fully embraced the stylistic innovations of Impressionism and Realism. This important drawing is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key artifact documenting the evolution of this major French artist. Because of its cultural significance and date of creation, this drawing often resides in the public domain, allowing enthusiasts of 19th-century art to access high-quality reproductions and prints for study and appreciation.