Feet with Campbell's Soup Can by Mogens Balle

Feet with Campbell's Soup Can

Mogens Balle · 1960

Scroll

“Stop to see how everyday objects transform into art. This drawing uses a simple ballpoint pen to create a surprisingly intimate and thought-provoking image of bare feet alongside a familiar soup can, a playful nod to pop culture's rise.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

A pair of bare feet, rendered with a light, almost sketch-like touch, dominates this drawing. They rest casually, perhaps on a surface unseen, their forms suggested by the delicate lines of a black ballpoint pen. Tucked between the ankles is a familiar red and white Campbell's Soup can, instantly recognizable despite its small scale and the monochrome medium. The stark contrast between the human form and the mass-produced object creates a quiet, almost surreal juxtaposition. This drawing, made in 1960, reflects a moment when artists began to incorporate everyday items into their work, blurring the lines between high art and popular culture. The humble ballpoint pen, typically used for quick notes, elevates this casual scene, inviting a closer look at the ordinary.

DETAILS
Artist
Mogens Balle
Date
1960
Medium
Black ballpoint pen on cream wove paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
43.3 × 35.2 cm (17 1/16 × 13 7/8 in.)
Collection
Prints and Drawings
Culture
United States
Credit line
Margaret Fisher Endowment
ART MOVEMENTS
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Feet with Campbell's Soup Can
01

The delicate cross-hatching and shading that define the contours of the feet.

02

The subtle indentation where the soup can rests between the ankles.

03

The distinct red and white label of the Campbell's Soup can, even in black and white.

04

The contrast between the organic lines of the feet and the rigid geometry of the can.

AUDIO DEEP DIVE

Stand in front of it and listen

The full narration walks you through Feet with Campbell's Soup Can — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

0:00Preview · 0:30Free preview · 0:30 Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST

Mogens Balle

1921–1988 · Kingdom of Denmark

Mogens Balle, a Danish painter, created vibrant, abstract works, often exploring the spontaneous and experimental.

Read Balle’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Balle

1 / 2
EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

More from CoBrA

See the movement →
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Balle and CoBrA: works from the same years.

Hear Feet with Campbell's Soup Can’s storyFree in the Art Whisper app Open