Ruskin Spear, R.A. (1911-1990)

The sculpture depicted is Henry Moore's Reclining Figure: Festival which occupied the central location of the 1951 Festival of Britain. It provoked huge controversy: 'Although the Arts Council had asked for a family group representing the theme of discovery, Moore provided a bronze reclining figure for a site opposite the main entrance ... Because Reclining Figure: Festival was seen as an expression of modern art, it was denounced as an artistic outrage by a former president of the Royal Academy but defended by the directors of the National Gallery and the Tate' (see D. Kosinksi (ed.), Henry Moore Sculpting the 20th Century, Dallas, 2001, pp. 278-279).