Henry Moore Artwork Catalogue
Material Matters: the conservation of modern sculpture; edited by Jackie Heuman.
0018759 Conservation;Conservation of Modern Sculpture, Material Matters;Exhibition of Contemporary British Art;Museum of Modern Art;Vandalism and damage;Skeaping, John;Chermayeff, Serge; Tate Gallery Conservation Department; JACKSON Tessa; Recumbent Figure, 1938 green Hornton stone; Hornton stone; HEUMAN Jackie; DEIGHTON Sandra Material Matters: the conservation of modern sculpture; edited by Jackie Heuman. Tate Gallery Publishing London Tate Gallery Conservation Department staff on restoration of works of art in the collection.
62-72(16 illus) JACKSON Tessa. Recumbent Figure, 1938: Henry Moore (1898-1986).
(Quotes Moore on Recumbent Figure, 1938 green Hornton stone commissioned by Serge Chermayeff. The work was purchased by the Contemporary Art Society in 1939 and presented to the Tate Gallery, who in turn lent it to an exhibition at the New York World's Fair (See 0009107). In 1940 the Museum of Modern Art was asked to store the sculpture over the war years. In 1944 it was pushed off its pedestal in the outdoor sculpture garden. Its head was knocked off, and its knee damaged. It was restored in New York, and returned to London in 1946.
Outlines the characteristics of Hornton stone, and the three layers bonded by metal dowels to make the block from which the figure was carved. Describes the cleaning and restoration of the work. In future the sculpture will remain indoors.
The photographs show the damage to the work in 1944, and close-ups of parts of the figure before and after restoration).
Henry Moore is also mentioned in:
7-13 HEUMAN Jackie. Introduction.
56-61 DEIGHTON Sandra The Horse, 1933: John Skeaping (1901-1980). Includes illustration of note by Skeaping, found hidden within the sculpture, describing his opinion of fellow artist, including Moore and Hepworth.