The Helmet
About this artwork
This is the first in a long series of sculptures by Moore to feature one form enclosed within another. A strange figure stands inside the helmet which is half-protective and half-menacing. There are several sources for this piece. It relates to Moore's mother-and-child drawings in which the child is protected by the mother's arms. It also relates to his drawings of shells, in which a complex internal structure is contained within a simpler outer form. Moore was also involved with Surrealism at this period, and was influenced by the idea of the mind being an independent 'being' contained within a head. More specifically, in 1937, Moore had made studies of an ancient Greek helmet with eye-like holes pierced in the top.
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title:The Helmet
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accession number:GMA 3602
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materials:Lead
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date created:1939 - 1940
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measurements:29.10 x 18.00 x 16.50 cm (excluding base)
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credit line:Purchased with help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund (Scottish Fund) and the Henry Moore Foundation 1992
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copyright:© The Henry Moore Foundation. All Rights Reserved, DACS, London / www.henry-moore.org 2019
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photographer:Antonia Reeve
Henry Moore
Henry Moore
Born in Yorkshire, Moore is regarded as one of the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century. He won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London in 1921, where he met fellow sculptor Barbara Hepworth. His early work was carved and, in keeping with his belief in 'truth…