Maquette for reclining figure
Executed in 1955 and cast in an edition of ten + one. Bronze, length 16,5 cm. LH 401. This maquette relates to the "Reclining figure" from the following year (Aland Bowness, no 402, illustrated).
Private Swedish collection, probably acquired in the 70s.
Thence by descent to present owner.
Lund Humphfries, "Henry Moore, Complete Sculpture 1955-64", London 1965, vol. 3, no. 401, illustration of another cast.
Ionel Jianou, "Henry Moore", Paris 1968, p. 80, no. 380.
"There are three fundamental poses of the human figure. One standing, another is seated, and the third is lying down. But of the three poses, the reclining figure gives the most freedom, compositionally and spacially. The seated figure has to have something to sit. You can't free it from its pedestal. 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 eternity". Franco Russoli, "Henry Moore - Sculpture", utställningskatalog, Barcelona, 1981, p. 86.