Henry Moore

Henry Moore 1898 – 1986

One of the most revered English Sculptors.

• He lived and worked during the two Great Wars.
• His works have certainly been influenced by his war experiences.
• Most of his work is on a big scale.
• He used materials (wood and stones) from his native country.
• His subjects were mostly revolving around the human form.

Below is a quote of his that sounds so true:

QUOTE …”I think also he came to know that, in a work of art, the expression of the spirit of the person – the expression of the artist’s outlook on life – is what matters more than a finished or a beautiful or a perfect work.” “simplify;they can leave out…In some way their late works become simplified and fragmentary, become imperfect and unfinished.”

He is talking about simplicity and minimalism in the artworks produced by artists in their later days.

I’ve always found fascinating how Great Artists in their latter days “turn” to a more basic use of materials and a love for simple forms, almost touching abstraction. By leaving out more they always manage to give exactly what they strive for. And it is a constant question in my mind to understand if it’s a process of working through all arts’ pretenses and arriving at the essentials or if it’s just easier to work in more simple ways, when age becomes a factor in the daily art process.

*the photo is from

Henry Moore’s Sheep Piece
Hertfordshire, England 1983
Gelatin Silver
by John Loengard