Monty Python

It is possibly the most famous foot in modern screen history as it stamps down twice during the opening credits of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Now it has been revealed that its inspiration is a 16th century painting in the National Gallery.

“In the late Sixties I would come to the gallery to steal ideas - some from paintings and through buying posters and souvenirs of characters I liked,” says Python member Terry Gilliam. “I then went home to create wonderfully silly animations.”

In a documentary film to celebrate the gallery’s 200th anniversary, which falls this weekend, Gilliam tells how Bronzino’s Allegory with Venus, Cupid and Folly led to his creation of the descending bare foot. Gilliam, who later directed films including Brazil and 12 Monkeys, had noticed Cupid and a dove in a bottom corner of the painting.

“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 told The Telegraph.