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Henry
Moore

Henry Moore's prints, echoing the essence of his abstract sculptures inspired by bones and stones, exhibit captivating negative spaces, organic forms and fluid, dynamic lines. If you’re looking for original Henry Moore prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network’s most in-demand works.

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Biography

Henry Spencer Moore was an English artist, one of the most significant and innovative sculptors of the 20th century, and a key proponent of the Modernist art movement. Born on July 30, 1898, in Castleford, Yorkshire, Moore is best known for his abstract and semi-abstract monumental bronze sculptures, located around the world, largely as public works of art. His work bridged the gap between traditional figurative sculpture and the emerging abstract movements of European modernism, making him an important and influential figure in the world of modern art.

Henry Moore's Artistic Education: Leeds School of Art and the Royal College of Art

Moore was the seventh of eight children born to Raymond Spencer Moore, a coal miner, and his wife, Mary Baker. Despite his humble beginnings, Moore's artistic talent was evident from an early age. He was encouraged by his art teacher at Castleford Grammar School, and by the age of 16, he was determined to become a sculptor. After serving in the British Army during World War I, Moore won a scholarship to study at the Leeds School of Art in 1919.

In 1921, Moore was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. It was during this time that he was exposed to the works of European modernist sculptors such as Pablo Picasso, Constantin Brâncuși, and Alberto Giacometti. He was particularly inspired by the non-Western art he saw at the British Museum, including African and Mexican sculptures, which greatly influenced his art practice. Graduating from the RCA in 1924, Moore then received a travelling scholarship to study in Italy, where he was exposed to the works of the great Italian Renaissance sculptors Michelangelo, Donatello, and Lorenzo Ghiberti.

Returning to London in 1925, Moore began teaching at the RCA and later at the Chelsea School of Art. Throughout the 1930s, he became increasingly well known in the British art world, and his sculptures started to gain international recognition, with exhibitions in Europe and America. Moore's work shifted towards abstraction during this period, with an emphasis on the human figure and the relationship between the body and the landscape.

A large-scale bronze sculpture of a biomorphic reclining figure. The sculpture is positioned on a plinth, elevated on a raised platform. The figure's feet are not clearly defined, seamlessly merging into the plinth. The figure rests on a bent elbow, creating a substantial void between the elbow and the upper body representation. The sculpture skillfully balances mass and empty space.

Image © Sotheby's / Reclining Figure: Festival © Henry Moore 1951

1. £26.4M for Henry Moore's Reclining Figure: Festival

Moore's Reclining Figure: Festival (1951) represents a pivotal moment in his career, serving as his inaugural life-size reclining figure commissioned for the 1951 Festival of Britain. Initially met with mixed reactions, it stirred both criticism and admiration for its innovative and humanist aesthetic. Over the years, this artwork has gained substantial value in the secondary market, notably setting Moore's auction record when it sold at Sotheby's in November 2022 for £26 million, marking its third successful sale, each surpassing the previous in value.

 A large-scale bronze sculpture of a reclining biomorphic figure. The sculpture rests on a plinth, with the figure's feet firmly planted on the ground. One arm is raised in the air, while the elbow rests on the ground. The photograph captures the sculpture in an open white gallery space.

Image © Christie's / Reclining Figure © Henry Moore 1982

2. £8.4M for Henry Moore's Reclining Figure

Moore's exploration of the reclining figure motif remained a constant theme throughout his career, evolving in significance and form. In Reclining Figure (1982), he masterfully balances the twisting and contorted body while introducing drapery around the feet, enhancing the sculpture's formalism and inviting contemplation from various angles. This edition of nine achieved notable success, selling at Christie's in November 2017 for £8.4 million, while another edition of the same work reached £7.1 million at Christie's in November 2018. These sales solidify these pieces as some of Moore's top-selling works, reflecting their artistic merit and market appeal.

Henry Moore's bronze sculpture featuring four fragments arranged in pairs. On the left side, two pieces are placed together, with a smaller fragment balancing on the edges of a larger bottom piece. The larger piece showcases a concaved void, adding depth and balance to the composition. On the right side, there are two additional pieces: one laid down in an L-shape, while the other extends upward and crosses over the first shape at a right angle.

Image © Christie's / Large Four Piece Reclining Figure © Henry Moore 1972-1973

3. £6.4M for Henry Moore's Large Four Piece Reclining Figure

Moore delved further into the concept of balance by exploring physical fragmentation in sculptures, exemplified in Large Four Piece Reclining Figure (1972-1973). This artwork presents the reclining figure in four distinct parts, offering multiple perspectives of each form. Close examination suggests that these pieces could potentially interlock if positioned in specific orientations, despite their fragmented nature. Through deliberate stacking and placement, Moore achieves a sense of harmony and balance within the composition. His artistic prowess lies in rendering the human form both uncanny and recognisable, blending elements of modernity, surrealism, and constructivism. Large Four Piece Reclining Figure achieved £6.3 million at Christie's in May 2017, highlighting its significance among Moore's most sought-after works.

A bronze sculpture by Henry Moore depicting a seated woman with a broad torso and a prominent pregnancy. The sculpture is positioned on a pedestal.

Image © Sotheby's / Seated Woman © Henry Moore 1957