Les babouches 

Frederick Arthur Bridgman made this painting, titled Les babouches, with oil on canvas. The painting depicts a shoemaker fitting babouches, traditional Moroccan slippers, on a young girl's foot. Bridgman emphasizes the texture and color of the babouches, capturing their supple leather and intricate embellishments. These slippers, typically crafted from fine leather through meticulous handwork, held cultural significance as symbols of status and tradition. The painting portrays not just an object, but also the labor-intensive processes and skilled traditions involved in their creation. Through this representation, Bridgman engages with the social context of labor, politics, and consumption, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. By emphasizing materials, making, and context, Bridgman highlights the importance of recognizing the artistic value inherent in everyday objects and the skilled craftsmanship that brings them to life.