Study of a Plaster Cast of a Foot
Luke Fildes (1843-1927)
Black and white chalk on buff wove paper
Width 40 cm x height 39.4 cm
Museum no. E.1951-1909
Fildes drew this study shortly after entering the British National Art Training School (Now the Royal College of Art) with a scholarship after three years training at a provincial school of art. At first British state-run schools, in opposition to the Academy Schools, did not permit drawing from casts although the syllabus was, nevertheless, based on drawing from other approved models. By the time the Schools of Design had evolved into the Schools of Art, such academic training was, as is shown by this drawing, encouraged.