Henry Moore O.M., C.H. (1898-1986)
Upright Motive E
Bronze with a dark brown patina
Signed and numbered 'Moore 3/9' (on the base)
Cast in 1968 in an edition of 9 plus 1 artist's cast
Foundry: Noack, Germany
Height 11 3/4 ins (29.8 cms)
SOLD
Provenance
Private collection, UK
Literature
Henry Moore Complete Sculpture 1964 - 73, Vol. 4,
Alan Bowness (ed.) no. 590 (another cast illustrated p.53)
This work is recorded with the Henry Moore Foundation as LH590
The idea for the 'Upright Motives' came about in 1955, when Moore was asked to do a make a sculpture for the courtyard in front of Olivetti's new office building in Milan. As Moore recalled:
"I went to see the building - it was a low horizontal building, which I thought needed a contrast to the Reclining Figure rhythm. But I never carried out the commission. I lost the wish to do it as I realised the sculpture would always be surrounded by cars"
The composition of the upright motive bronzes reflects Moore's fascination with the natural world as well as his delight in the art of primitive cultures. In balancing different forms one above the other Moore creates a result reminiscent of the North West American totem poles, an association he himself acknowledged.