INTRODUCTION
The most outstanding works in Wakefield's permanent collection are by the world famous and locally born sculptors Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.
Moore's most important pre-war carving is the Elmwood Reclining Figure. This was exhibited, by Wakefield Art Gallery, soon after its completion in 1936 and acquired for the permanent collection a few years later. It is one of the most significant works of modern art produced in the 20th century. It has featured in major exhibitions around the world.
The earliest sculpture by Moore in Wakefield Art Gallery's collection is Concrete Head, 1926.
Moore concentrated on a limited number of themes throughout his working life. Of particular fascination was the formal exploration of the standing, sitting or reclining human figure.
Although renown for his sculpture, drawing was also of the utmost importance to the artist. Wakefield Art Gallery's collection contains a number of his finest war-time drawings. Pit Boys at Pit Head, drawn at Castleford in 1942, was Moore's personal favourite from the period.
The gallery has gone on to acquire a number of sculptures and drawings illustrating some of the most important developments in Moore's career. For the first time ever, these are now all available online.
Follow the links below to view a selection of works by Henry Moore:
