Waddesdon Manor hosts exhibit of drawings by Henry Moore

PanARMENIAN.Net - The exhibition charts the life and art of Henry Moore (1898 -1986) through a selection of 100 drawings from the collection of The Henry Moore Foundation, and two major pieces of sculpture, Art Daily reports.

Although arguably best known as a sculptor, Moore was a prolific and exceptionally talented draughtsman. Throughout his career drawing represented for Moore both a way to observe and learn about nature and a means to develop sculptural ideas. Starting with figure studies made as a student in Leeds, the exhibition showcases some of Moore’s best known two-dimensional works, such as the Shelter Drawings from the early 1940s and the sheep drawings of the 1970s and 80s, as well as rarely exhibited mid-career and late works, like the playful ‘shut-eye’ drawings, which reveal lesser known and often surprising aspects of his art.

Alongside the drawings, two important bronzes are being displayed. King and Queen (on loan from a private collection) is one of Moore’s most iconic figural groups, while Hill Arches (HMF), chosen for its baroque architectural qualities, will be displayed in the garden.

The exhibition is curated by Sebastiano Barassi and Richard Calvocoressi at The Henry Moore Foundation. The Henry Moore Foundation is one of the United Kingdom’s leading art charities. Set up by the artist in 1977 to increase public enjoyment of the visual arts, it looks after Moore’s former home and grounds, organises exhibitions of his work worldwide, runs the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, and gives grants to arts organisations.

Waddesdon Manor was built from 1874 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his outstanding collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world. It combines the highest quality 18thcentury French decorative arts, magnificent English portraits and Dutch Old Master paintings with one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, famous for its Parterre and ornate working Aviary. The house was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1957 and is now managed by a family charitable trust, The Rothschild Foundation, under the chairmanship of Lord Rothschild.

Waddesdon is one of the most visited historic houses among England’s National Trust properties. The collections are a reflection of the passions of the Rothschilds who created and have cared for Waddesdon, from Ferdinand de Rothschild, who built the Manor in the late 19th century, to Jacob, the present Lord Rothschild.