Henry Moore

Henry Moore (1898-1986) was born in Yorkshire, England and is a world-wide accomplished modern sculptor.  He is famous for his large bronze organic sculptures as public works of art.  He is particularly known for his abstractions of the human body.  Often his works depict mother and child figures, as well as almost sensual female representations. In the 1950's, he went through a phase of depicting family conglomerates and figures.  Many of these are reclining, however some represent standing figures, some sitting, and a manner of all other appropriate human-related actions/positions.

While the picture of him above gives a better idea of the mass of his works, I think this photograph is so cute!  Here, he is pictured working with his daughter.  He, himself, came from a large family, but had a sound childhood.  He originally became a teacher, due to his parent's objections to sculpting.  But after WWI, he went back to school to become an artist.

To the right is a beautiful example of one of his organic, abstract bronze masses.  It is called Oval with Points (1968-70).  This particular picture is interesting to me, due to the angle from which it was taken and the clarity of the horizon.  In the background, you can see another one of his bronze sculptures.  Oval with Points appears to be a garden or courtyard of some sort.  When thinking about the work, itself, Oval with Points, despite the figure eight hole in the middle, is a very unified piece.   The surface is smooth and makes me want to run my hands all along it in order to feel the subtle curves and dips of this mass.  I am intrigued by the soft edges that forms on the lower right side of the mass.  My favorite part, however is the very nearly connecting points in the middle of the center.  That focal point adds a lovely delicacy to the piece.  In whole, Oval with Points is a tranquil and curious work.

This work, Family Group, done in 1950, is a prime example of one of his bronze works that depict a family.  Again, this piece has an organic and even alive feel to it.  The contour of the entire work flows consistently as all the forms are interacting and touching.  The potential energy of the humanoid forms are focused towards the center where the child is.  The way Moore portrayed the mother figure is stylistically similar to ancient Mesopotamian works that depict women.  This is shown in her frontal knees and feet and especially in the lack of clothing depicted on her upper torso, and the evidence of clothing folds around her knee.  I like how Henry Moore draws on ancient styles from ancient cultures yet adds his own modern flare.

Henry Moore is unique in his style and artistic contributions.  A famous quote from him: "The observation of nature is part of an artist's life, it enlarges his form [and] knowledge, keeps him fresh and from working only by formula, and feeds inspiration."