Two Bare Feet and Three Sandalled Feet n.d.

John Downman created "Two Bare Feet and Three Sandalled Feet" using graphite on paper sometime between the late 18th and early 19th century. Downman, who lived during a period of significant social and political change, here provides us with a study of feet, both adorned and bare. The choice to depict feet, particularly in such detail, invites consideration. Feet carry us, they connect us to the earth, and they bear the marks of our journeys. In a society increasingly obsessed with status and appearance, Downman's focus on the feet offers a grounded, almost subversive perspective. The contrast between the bare and sandalled feet might reflect societal hierarchies, perhaps hinting at class distinctions in a rapidly changing world. Ultimately, this study evokes the intimacy of human existence. Downman invites us to consider not just what we wear on our feet, but how we walk through the world.