Studies of Hands and Feet 1700 - 1737

François Le Moyne made these studies of hands and feet with red chalk on paper in the early 18th century. It is important to consider the work involved in preparatory drawings like this one, which may appear effortless at first glance. The artist is using the material of red chalk to capture the subtleties of human form, focusing on line and shadow to create volume and texture. The red chalk is a soft, earthy material that allows for a range of tonal variation, which we can see in the subtle gradations of light and shade across the figures. The artist's hand is evident in the varying pressure of the chalk on the paper, from light, feathery strokes to more assertive lines. Drawings like this were not ends in themselves, but instead a means of preparing for larger, more ambitious projects. The hand of the artist is what animates a large-scale history painting, but that skill is honed through many hours of dedicated, careful work. These detailed studies were crucial for mastering the art of depiction, where the human body emerges through the labor of the artist's hand.