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Exhibition

Vitality: The Human Landscapes of Henry Moore

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire

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

Free workshops for schools

Workshop

Free workshops for schools

Book Now

Sheep Field Barn gallery
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Open Archive: Human Landscapes

Open archive session

Open Archive: Human Landscapes

14:00–16:30

Book Now

Henry Moore Archive
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Open Archive: Human Landscapes

Open archive session

Open Archive: Human Landscapes

14:00–16:30

Book Now

Henry Moore Archive
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire

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

Tickets

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

Annual tickets

Visit Studios & Gardens as many times as you like during our open season. Each ticket is valid for 12 calendar months.

Adults:  £16.50
Children:  £8.50
Under 5s: FREE

Concessions: £15
Student / Under 25: £10
Families: from £30

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

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens

Experience Henry Moore’s iconic work in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside with a visit to the artist’s former home, studios and sculpture gardens.

Perry Green
Hertfordshire
SG10 6EE
United Kingdom

T:  01279 843 333
E:  ReceptionDTH@henry-moore.org