The Art of Henry Moore

(1898-1986)

Early Life and Work

•Father was a miner who did not want his children to be

miners•Born in 1898 in a small town in England

•At age 18, served in World War 1

•Studied art after the war

Early Life and Work

•He was very interested in works from ancient Mexico, especially the figures of the Toltec civilization

Early Life and Work

•Influenced by artworks that he saw at the British Museum•Work from the 1920’s and 1930’s was realistic

DrawingsDuring World War 2, the citizens of London took shelter in the subway tunnels because the city was being bombed.

As an official war artist, Henry Moore did many drawings there. These “shelter drawings” captured the heroism of the English people and helped to involve the United States in the war.

Drawings

Drawings

Like most artists, drawing was an important part of Henry Moore’s life

Drawings

Sculptures

Henry Moore’s work followed three major themes

• Mother and child• Family group• Reclining figures

Mother and Child

Mother and Child

Family

Reclining Figure

Reclining Figure

Other Sculptures

• Henry Moore also worked on themes of helmets

Other Sculptures• Some sculptures were based on forms from

nature, such as driftwood and bones

Other Sculptures

Painting and sculpture help other people to see what a wonderful world we live in. (Henry Moore)

I don't know of any good work of art that doesn't have a mystery. (Henry Moore)

The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do.(Henry Moore)

Student Work

Student Work