Reclining Figure (External Form)

Artist Henry Moore (British, 1898-1986)

Place of OriginEngland

Date1953-1954

Dimensions86 3/8 × 31 3/8 × 44 1/2 in. (219.4 × 79.7 × 113 cm)

MediumBronze.

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1958.74

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 07

Label TextIn his semi-abstract sculptures Henry Moore was most interested in the human figure, but he often related it to natural forms such as bones, shells, and pebbles. Reclining Figure (External Form) echoes the curves of a female body, but also recalls a smoothed and hollowed piece of driftwood. The sculpture explores Moore’s fascination with the way space interacts with form. Space flows in and around the sculpture, yet it remains solid and timeless. This, for Moore, was an essential element of his reclining forms: “A reclining figure can recline on any surface. It is free and stable at the same time. It fits in with my belief that sculpture should be permanent, should last for an eternity.” This is the first bronze that was cast of Reclining Figure (External Form). It was originally placed by Moore in the garden of his house and studio at Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, England. Before this cast was shipped to Toledo, Moore had a second cast made for himself as its replacement.Published References"Accessions of American and Canadian Museums, January-March 1959," The Art Quarterly, vol. 22, 1959, p. 186, repr. p. 190.

Toledo Museum News, Summer 1960, New Series, vol. 3, no. 3, p. 69, repr.

Quadrum, IX, 1960, p. 32, repr. p. 33.

Spaeth, Eloise, American Art Museums and Galleries, New York, 1960, Harper, New York, 1960, p. 134.

A Guide to the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, 1966, repr.

Lee, Katharine C., "Modern Art," Toledo Museum News, vol. 11, no. 4, Autumn 1968, p. 92, repr.

Spaeth, Eloise, American Art Museums, New York, 1969, rev. ed. p. 205.

Toledo Museum of Art, A Guide to the Collection, Toledo, 1966, repr.

Coleman, Ronald L., Sculpture: A Basic Handbook for Students, Dubuque, 1968, p. 11, repr. fig. 24.

Seldis, Henry J., Henry Moore in America, New York, 1973, repr. p. 137.

Greenhill, Eleanor S., Dictionary of Art, New York, 1974, repr. pl. 45.

DeAngelus, Michele, "Henry Moore: Reclining Figure," Toledo Museum News, New Series, vol. 17, no. 3, 1974, pp. 65-66, repr. pp. 66-67.

The Toledo Museum of Art, A Guide to the Collections, Toledo, 1976, repr. p. 92-93.

"Henry Moore 1898-1986," ARTaFACTS, vol. 6, no. 2, Oct/No 2002, repr. p. [4], (col.).

Comparative ReferencesSee also Read, Herbert (intro.) Henry Moore, vol. II, (A. Zwemmer), London,, 1955, plate 28. Cf. Lewis, David, "Moore and Hepworth," College Art Journal, vol. 14, no. 4, 1955, p. 315 (full size plaster model repr.)