Vier voeten in verschillende posities 1773

Jean François Janinet made this print, "Four Feet in Different Positions," using etching and aquatint. Created in France in the late 18th century, it offers insight into the artistic training of the time. Drawings of this kind were commonly produced within academic settings. They served as models for students learning to depict the human form accurately. We can think of it as an instruction manual that dissects the foot into different perspectives, revealing the artist's understanding of anatomy. The numbering and labels imply a scientific approach to the study of the human body. To truly understand a print like this, we can consult manuals and academic records from the period. These sources help us understand the social and institutional context in which artists like Janinet operated. The meaning of art is always contingent on these contexts, and it's up to us to uncover them.