Henry Moore, O.M., C.H. (1898-1986)

The present work is from a series of sculptures in which Moore explored the relationship of a seated figure to its surroundings, and which include the presence of a curved wall, or bench on which a figure sits or reclines. This concept ultimately resulted in the large scale sculpture, UNESCO Reclining Figure, 1957-68, carved in Travertine marble, and commissioned for the forecourt of the new UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The problem of having to position his sculpture in front of a large building which might detract from its impact on the viewer, led the artist to explore the idea of positioning the figure in front of its own wall within the composition. Moore eventually left the UNESCO commission without this backdrop, but it became a device that he explored in his sculpture throughout the 1950s (see H. Read, Introduction, A. Bowness, op. cit., p. 6).