Henry Moore

Reclining Figure

About this artwork

This sculpture was commissioned by the Arts Council of Great Britain for the Festival of Britain exhibition in 1951. Moore was asked to make a carving of a family group symbolising 'Discovery', but he chose instead to make a large reclining figure in bronze. The Gallery's bronze is this original cast. Moore explained his liking for reclining figures in typically rational terms, observing that large standing figures have a weak point at the ankles. He began making reclining figures in the late 1920s, and in the late 1930s produced several small, bronze reclining figures: these established the long, sinewy form which culminated in this sculpture.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Henry Moore (1898 - 1986) English
  • title:
    Reclining Figure
  • date created:
    1951
  • materials:
    Bronze
  • measurements:
    106.00 x 228.60 x 73.70 cm (figure size); 92.00 x 244.50 x 88.00 cm (base size)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Presented by the Arts Council of Great Britain through the Scottish Arts Council 1969
  • accession number:
    GMA 1098
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Henry Moore

Henry Moore