LYNN CHADWICK, R.A. (1914-2003)

Maquette II Sitting Couple on Bench

Closed20 October 2022

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GBP 138,600

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LYNN CHADWICK, R.A. (1914-2003)
Maquette II Sitting Couple on Bench
numbered and dated 'C9S 8/9 1984' (on the underside of each element)
bronze with a black and polished patina
16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) long
Conceived in 1984 and cast in 1985 by Lypiatt Foundry, Stroud.

with Adrian Sassoon, London, where purchased by the present owner.

'I used to call them "Watchers", but no longer. Sometimes they are not watching anything. What they are doing is illustrating a relationship - a physical relationship - between people.' It was through this relationship, not through purely formal or allusive qualities, that he wanted his sculptures to speak: 'If you can get their physical attitudes right you can spell out a message' (L. Chadwick, quoted in M. Bird, Lynn Chadwick, Farnham, 2014, p. 147).

Lynn Chadwick redefined the way human forms can be represented in sculpture, and was particularly interested in paired figures, having first approached the theme in the 1950s. It continued to occupy him throughout his career. He initially explored the human form by looking in detail at how a figure moves and at the stances they might take, but in the 1970s he started to standardise these figures. Eventually, Chadwick developed a kind of visual code, adopting a triangle and square head as a shorthand device for the symbolisation of the male and female forms. Chadwick has discussed the reasons for blanked faces in his work: he understood body language to have a far greater power in conveying mood and character than facial features, which he felt to be limiting. Commenting in 1991, the sculptor revealed 'the important thing in my figures is always the attitude - what the figures are expressing through their actual stance. They talk, as it were, and this is something a lot of people don't understand' (the artist in an interview with Barrie Gavin broadcast on HTV West, 1991).

Specialist note

We are very grateful to Sarah Chadwick for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.

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LYNN CHADWICK, R.A. (1914-2003)

Maquette II Sitting Couple on Bench

Considering selling a similar item?

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LYNN CHADWICK, R.A. (1914-2003)

Maquette II Sitting Couple on Bench

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