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Public art in European locations by the British sculptor
Henry Moore was a British artist, who lived from 1898 to 1986. He was a prolific sculptor and drawer, producing many artworks throughout a long career that spanned many decades.
Born in Yorkshire, Moore trained in Leeds and London, and later lived in London and Hertfordshire. By the late 1940s, Moore was a worldwide celebrity, considered to be one of the most prominent British modern artists. By the end of his career, Moore was the world's most successful living artist at auction with his sculptures selling for millions.
Moore's sculptures are largely abstract depictions of human figures, often suggesting female and family forms.
Many of Henry Moore's sculptures, drawings and other works are now part of the collections of museums and galleries around the world.
In addition to these collections, many of his artworks are found around Europe and the world, located in public spaces for all to enjoy and appreciate.
Let's take a virtual tour around Europe to discover highlights of Henry Moore's sculptures across the continent.
Antwerp, Belgium
Moore's sculpture 'King and queen' (Koning en Koningin) is found in the collection of Middelheim, a 30-hectare sculpture park in Antwerp. The park was established in 1951, with the artwork dating from 1952-53.
Dublin, Ireland
A memorial sculpture to Irish poet and author William Butler Yeats by Henry Moore is found in the St Stephen's Green park in Dublin. It was unveiled in October 1967, located in the park which was one of Yeats's favourite Dublin locations.
Gävle, Sweden
Slottstorget is a public open space in Gävle, a city in northern Sweden. There, Henry Moore's 'Three Piece Reclining Figure' has been on display since 1976 when it was donated to the municipality.
London, United Kingdom
As Henry Moore lived in London for many years, it should be no surprise that the UK capital city has several sculptures by him on display.
The sculpture 'Locking Piece' has been on display on Millbank since the 1970s. It is located near to Chelsea School of Art (now known as Chelsea College of Arts) where Moore worked as the head of the sculpture department. It is also near the Tate Gallery (now known as Tate Britain) which holds a significant collection of Moore's artworks.
The Brandon Estate is a social housing estate in Kennington, south London, built in the late 1950s. The Henry Moore sculpture 'Two Piece Reclining Figure No.3 1961' was installed there in the 1960s, under a scheme to place artworks in post-war estates known as 'The Abercrombie Plan'.
Finally in London, the Victoria & Albert Museum - the world's largest museum for applied arts, decorative arts, and design - holds a collection of clothing and textiles with patterns designed by Henry Moore. Though neither sculpture nor public art, this collection is a testiment to Moore's adaptable creativity.
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
In 1955, Henry Moore designed a relief for the facade of a building in Rotterdam. This piece is unique among Moore's artworks, as his only piece made from bricks. It took two master bricklayers four months to complete. Since the early 2010s, the artwork has been placed on a new building on the street Weena.
Tel Aviv, Israel
Since 1970, a large bronze sculpture 'Reclining Figure' has been on prominent display in the plaza outside the Tel Aviv Museum.
Additionally, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem holds a collection of works by Henry Moore.
Vienna, Austria
Karlplatz is a large square in the Austrian capital city Vienna, located on the border between the city's first and fourth districts. A Henry Moore sculpture - 'Hill Arches 1973' - is found in a fountain in the square in front of the Karlskirche church. It was installed in 1978.
Wuppertal, Germany
From 1966 to 1997, a Moore sculpture 'Draped Seated Woman' was on display in the forecourt of the theatre Schauspielhaus in Wuppertal, a city in the west of Germany, as captured in the photograph below. The theatre closed in 2013 and, since then, the sculpture has been displayed in a sculpture park and outside a swimming pool complex in the city.
