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Outdoor display

Vitality: The Human Landscapes of Henry Moore

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire

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A bronze sculpture in the form of an abstracted reclining figure sited in a green landscape in summer.

For Moore, nature and the human body were sources of vitality, expressions of life-force which he could harness in his work, uniting and concentrating their vital energy.

Although his forms often appear abstract, Moore was fundamentally a figurative artist, and the human body remained his core concern throughout his life. In his maquette studio, he surrounded himself with natural forms – bones, stones, shells and driftwood – which he transformed into figures through the addition of clay, plasticine and plaster. When he enlarged these works and placed them outside, the rise and fall of the body – knees, breasts, and shoulders – echoed the forms of the land.

Moore enhanced the relationship of his works to their environment by incorporating space within them. He broke the figure into multiple parts and pierced his sculptures to create holes, making space a part of the sculpture and bringing the landscape into the very form of the work.

In 2023, more than twenty monumental bronzes inspired by natural and human forms are displayed in the landscape surrounding the studios where Moore developed ideas. Multi-part reclining figures are joined by some of his purest organic abstractions and works exploring his most iconic themes: the mother and child, the reclining figure, and the juxtaposition of internal and external forms.

A black and white photo showing an older man working on a sculpture made from white plaster of paris
Henry Moore working on the plaster for 'Two Piece Reclining Figure: Points' (LH 606) c. 1969-70. Photo: Errol Jackson.

Events at Studios & Gardens

This summer we are celebrating the theme of Vitality: The Human Landscapes of Henry Moore with a series of practitioner-led activities designed for different ages, abilities and interests. Join us to participate in workshopping, walking, talking, digital interactions and drop-in events.

Sunday Sculpt

Drop-in workshop

Sunday Sculpt

11:00–12:30 & 13:30–15:00

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Explore with Moore
A young girl and four women gathered around a two small printing presses. They are placing etching plates into the presses ready to make prints

Self-led activity table

Explore with Moore

11:00–17:00

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Wimbledon Weekends at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens
Outline sketch drawing of a pan playing tennis, his right arm outstretched with a racquet in hand.

Tennis screening and art-making activities

Wimbledon Weekends at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens

Book Now

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Mini Moore

Drop-in activity

Mini Moore

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Education group visit & metal workshop, in partnership with Ore Projects (ages 16-25)

Education group visit & workshop

Education group visit & metal workshop, in partnership with Ore Projects (ages 16-25)

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Garden & Gather

Drop-in activity

Garden & Gather

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Family Encounters
A young boy using a paint brush to apply a metallic coating to a piece of art that he is creating. He is wearing an apron and working at a table laden with art materials.

Drop-in activity

Family Encounters

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Saturday Soft Sculpt
A young child in bucket hat and stripy t-shirt making a sculpture from foam shapes and recycled pool noodles.

Drop-in activity

Saturday Soft Sculpt

11:00–12:30 & 13:30–15:00

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Encounters with Moore
A photo taken through a hole in a bronze sculpture. Through the hole you can see a middle aged man, wearing fashionable spectacles, talking into a microphone.

Staff talk series

Encounters with Moore

14:00

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Artist Film Screening and In Conversation with Shaun C. Badham and Jes Fernie
Screenshot from headcam footage, showing a hand pressed against a rock.

Film screening and talk

Artist Film Screening and In Conversation with Shaun C. Badham and Jes Fernie

14:00–15:00

Book online via Art Tickets

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
From Sculpture to Tapestry: Henry Moore and Eva Rothschild
A blue toned tapestry depicting three women, hanging in a wood-beamed barn with skylight above.

Talk

From Sculpture to Tapestry: Henry Moore and Eva Rothschild

15:00

Book online via Art Tickets

Aisled Barn
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Henry Moore and Roland Penrose, Lee Miller, and the Surrealists
Black and white photo of two men discussing a large, white abstract sculpture of a reclining figure.

Talk

Henry Moore and Roland Penrose, Lee Miller, and the Surrealists

17:00

Book online via Art Tickets

Aisled Barn
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire

Bloomberg Connects logo

Explore Henry Moore Studios & Gardens in a new way with our free audio-visual guide on Bloomberg Connects, the arts and culture app.

Download the app

Tickets

The Vitality exhibition is included in your ticket to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.

Visit Studios & Gardens as many times as you like during our open season.

Each ticket is valid for 12 calendar months.

Adults:  £19.50
Over 65:  £17.50
Students:  £11.00
Universal Credit:  £1.00

Family (1 adult & 3 children):  £32.00
Family (2 adults & 3 children):  £49.00
Children (5-18):  £9.00
Under 5s:  FREE

Support our work, at no extra cost, by adding Gift Aid when you buy your ticket.

Plan your visit

 

Visitor season

5 April to 29 October 2023

 

Opening times

Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, 11:00–17:00
October only, 11:00–16:00

 

Henry Moore Archive

Monday to Friday, by appointment

 

Plan your visit

Getting here