Henry Moore

Family Group

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About this artwork

In 1944 Moore made a series of drawings and maquettes (small models) of family groups. These were preliminary ideas for a sculpture to be sited outside a school near Cambridge. In several of the studies two children are shown handling a book, a detail inspired by the scholastic nature of the project. The commission was abandoned for financial reasons, but an altered version of the sculpture (with a single child) was made several years later. Although primarily known as a sculptor, Moore concentrated on drawing while he was an Official War Artist from 1940 to 1942. He produced drawings of Londoners sheltering in underground stations during air raids.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Henry Moore (1898 - 1986) English
  • title:
    Family Group
  • date created:
    1944
  • materials:
    Watercolour, ink, crayon and chalk on paper
  • measurements:
    52.30 x 44.90 cm (framed: 68.00 x 58.50 x 3.50 cm)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased 1978
  • accession number:
    GMA 2065
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Henry Moore

Henry Moore