How Monty Python ‘stole’ their well-known foot from sixteenth century portray
Comedian Terry Gilliam has revealed that Monty Python’s famous foot was ‘stolen’ from a 16th century painting in the National Gallery.
The foot, which notoriously stamps down twice in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, was inspired by similar barefoot in Agnolo Bronzino’s painting An Allegory with Venus and Cupid.
Mr Gilliam has appeared in a documentary film to celebrate the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary where he discusses how he noticed Cupid’s foot above a dove in the bottom corner of the painting.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he said: ‘It seemed like his foot was about to crush the unsuspecting bird. I thought it would make a lovely punctuation – a sudden halt to what was going on.
‘Cupid’s foot made it even better because what better than to be crushed by love.’
Comedian Terry Gilliam has revealed that Monty Python’s famous foot was ‘stolen’ from a 16th century painting in the National Gallery
Agnolo Bronzino’s painting An Allegory with Venus and Cupid which partly inspired the famous foot from the opening credits of Monty Python’s Flying Circus
The foot, which notoriously stamps down twice in the opening credits of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, was inspired by similar barefoot in Agnolo Bronzino’s painting An Allegory with Venus and Cupid
Gilliam is one of 16 people, including celebrities as well gallery employees, who appear in the film discussing their favourite paintings in the National Gallery.
Fellow Monty Python member also appears in documentary which will be shown in 300 cinemas across the UK. As a famous train enthusiast, Mr Palin unsurprisingly chose Turner’s Rain, Steam and Speed.
He said: ‘It shows the birth of the railways.
‘Yet Turner is also depicting the countryside, counterbalanced by the train. It’s a real narrative, in which you feel the New World will win.’
Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie chose Correggio’s Madonna of the Basket. She said: A mother looking after her young child, and struggling to put on its jacket. I’ve recently had a second baby and know that feeling’.
Some people even claim that a painting saved their life as is the case with Peter Murphy.
Mr Murphy suffered from a serious drug and alcohol addiction in the 1990s and 2000s while working on Channel 4’s Eurotrash. But a trip to the gallery in 2009 left a profound impact on him.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Gillaim said: ‘It seemed like his foot was about to crush the unsuspecting bird. I thought it would make a lovely punctuation – a sudden halt to what was going on. ‘Cupid’s foot made it even better because what better than to be crushed by love’
He said: ‘I’d been before but this time I found myself drawn to a blue coloured painting. It was Bellini’s Madonna of the Meadow.
‘Very quickly the serenity and calmness of this Virgin and child touched me. I’m not religious though brought up by a very strict Catholic father. Seeing the Madonna made me think that “Mummy’s home”.’
He then visited the painting every day for 12 months and credits the famous artwork with helping him off the booze and drugs.
Mr Murphy added: ‘The painting gives me inner peace. And, thankfully, the gallery is free. I just feel I belong here. It’s my club. It’s my National Gallery.’
