Large Interior Form, 1981
I love the graceful curves and lightness of the sculpture.
Large Totem Head, 1968
My picture does not do this piece justice, because the light was wrong for picture taking. It's one of my favorites of his works. This photo taken in Kew Gardens shows more detail of the sculpture.
Sheep Piece
Moore chose the placement of "Sheep Piece" in the park. The sculpture with actual sheep surrounding it is shown in this photo taken in Hertfordshire.
Oh, Mimi, I had to laugh when I saw the Sheep Piece. Having taken several school groups to the Nelson over the years (one of the sidelights of having a chauffeur's license for 30 years and being able to drive vans with up to 16 passengers for school/church groups), I have a nickname for that piece....
ReplyDelete"Two Schmoos Mating."
('Cept I don't normally use the word "mating" unless small children are present.)
More importantly, did you get over to Independence to the Truman Library????
Kirke, I believe that one of the reasons that I like Henry Moore's sculptures is that they are all erotic, not just the sheep.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to the Truman Library, but I have been to visit the Truman home in Independence. I loved it. It was like being a 40s time warp. One day, I'd like to visit the library.
Wow, Gorgeous. And great Sheep Piece. Kirke, thanks for the extra bit of story. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely! Are they the 'originals'?
ReplyDeleteWell, I love them, Jane.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I don't know, but I doubt that they were the first to come from the mold. Of course, I could be wrong.
I remember The Sheep Piece from my art school days in Kansas City. I've always been fond of it.
ReplyDeleteKirke, Grandpère reminded me that we did visit the Truman museum. Oh well. What can I say? I forgot, but it's coming back to me now after looking at pictures of the place.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do have a vivid memory of visiting was the "Little White House" at the Naval Base in Key West, his getaway spot for having a little bourbon and playing cards with the guys out of sight of Bess. I think the homes leave more of an impression than the libraries - and me a retired librarian. Tsk, tsk.
Counterlight, I couldn't do the park justice, because my damned knee was hurting. I walked the walk, but I was in pain, and that was a distraction. Also, it was hot and sunny, and I had forgotten my straw hat for shading my face. Physical discomfort, notwithstanding, it was worth it. I'll go back, because I have family there.
ReplyDeletegrandmere,
ReplyDeleteIn the late 60s, a woman named Helen Canzoneri took a few of us high school students in Newton, KS aside to form a kind of "college prep" extracuricular class (I had already been playing chamber music with her husband and two of her three sons - she took a trip to Venice once, purchased some Venetian glass, and then one evening during a string quartet we shattered it with certain frequencies!! LOL). Anyway, Helen was the first to introduce me to Henry Moore, precisely because he had appeared in KC (my parents went there periodically for the jewelery market, I went along a couple of times, they were retail jewelers). So, it's all about the holes. She didn't say so, but I knew it intuitively. And I have always loved his work.
:-)
Scott, holes? I can't imagine what you mean. No. Don't explain. ;o)
ReplyDeleteYeah, the holes in Moore sculptures are strategically located. Always. But not always where you think. Sometimes the "chests" of them have holes, which I wonder if it signifies an empty heart or something missing from there, etc.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, being farm folk it is no surprise the Sheep Piece got my attention in that garden first, the first time I was there...that's a very familiar pasture sight!