Henry Moore (1898-1986)

Biogaphical Sketch

Today, Henry Moore is considered one of the most significant sculptors of the 20th century. His drawings and graphic works make up a large part of his oeuvre as well. Henry Moore was born on July 30, 1898 as the seventh child in a mining family of partially Irish descent in Castleford, Yorkshire. After studying to become a teacher, he fought in World War I and suffered gas poisoning in France. Studied at the Art School in Leeds (1919). Sculpture courses at the Royal College of Art. An assiduous visitor of the British Museum, he was preoccupied with Ancient Art, particularly Egyptian and Indian art. Spent time in Norfolk on the east coast of England (1922), where he produced his first plastic works outdoors. Trip to Paris, encountered Surrealism and Cubism (1923). Half-year sojourn in Italy and France (1925). Graduated from the Royal College of Art. From 1926 to 1933, Moore taught at this sculpture institute. First exhibit at the St. Georges Gallery (1926). First public commission for a relief figure in 1928. Married Irina Radetsky (1929). Became a member of Unit One (1933), an avant-garde art group to which Paul Nash and Ben Nicholson also belonged. Participated in the international Surrealist exhibit at the New Burlington Galleries (1936), putting him on his way to international fame for his comprehensive graphic as well as sculptural works particularly given to the motif of penetration of space, with the human figure as a centerpiece. Moved to Kingston in 1939. Trip to London (1940). He created his 'Bunker Drawings' for the subway tunnels on official commission during the german air raids. In October 1940 Moore moved to Much Hadham after his studio was destroyed in an air raid. In 1941 became a member of the Tate Gallery Commission. First retrospective in 1946 at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, followed by commissions in his country and abroad for outdoor sculptures. Numerous honors and awards. His work is present in collections all over the world and can be viewed in publications. Henry Moore died in Much Hadham on August 31, 1986. The H. Moore Foundation was established by the artist in 1977 in Much Hadam, and it is the organization responsible for the artist's estate today. Some collections worth mentioning are: the Moore Center Collection of the Toronto Art Gallery in Ontario, Tate Gallery and Victoria & Albert Museums in London, and one of the greatest Moore collections in the world at the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg, germany. ek

(*)

References:

The early, large Moore monographs, among others: Will Grohmann, 1960; Erich Neumann, 1961; Herbert Read, 1965/67.

Henry Moore. Druckgraphik (Prints): 1931-1980. Wilhelm-Lehmbruck Museum Catalogue, Duisburg, 1988;

Pace Gallery, New York, Henry Moore - Sculptures and Drawings, 1994;

Register of works

Catalogue of works in four volumes: Henry Moore. Gérald Cramer, Alistair Grant and David Mitchinson, Geneva 1986.

(*)

Note:

The references given are not meant as a list of the best works available on the subject, but simply reflect the author's sources.

Registers and catalogues of works are included when known and correspond to the information given in the index.