Henry Moore

Henry Moore is regarded as one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, known for his monumental, semi-abstract works that reshaped British art. Moore trained as a teacher before serving in World War I. After his injury, he received a rehabilitation grant to study at Leeds School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, where he was inspired by ‘Primitive Art,’ particularly African and Oceanic sculptures.
Moore’s work, often focusing on female and maternal figures, evolved from organic forms drawn from nature, such as hills, rocks, and pebbles. Influenced by Picasso and Braque in the 1930s, his work grew more abstract and darker, especially after his role as a war artist during WWII. He created powerful depictions of sheltering figures and miners, conveying deep emotional intensity. Post-war, Moore focused on abstracted heads, exploring variations of this theme throughout the 1950s, solidifying his place as a pioneer of modern sculpture.