Pierre Cardin (made by Carlos Peñafiel), molded brown leather man’s shoes, 1986, France, gift of Richard Martin, 87.16.1

Carlos Peñafiel for Pierre Cardin

In 1986, Pierre Cardin collaborated with Chilean-born sculptor Carlos Peñafiel to produce a surrealist leather shoe inspired by René Magritte's 1930s series 'Le Modèle Rouge.' The brown pebbled leather was moulded into sets of toes, producing a bizarre trompe l'œil effect.

 

Pictured is French sculptor César Baldaccini holding Peñafiel's creation, 1989.

 

"On ressent, grâce au Modèle rouge, que l'union d'un pied humain et d'un soulier de cuir relève en réalité d'une coutume monstrueuse." -Magritte

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.