Henry Moore, O.M., C.H.

Buchholz Gallery (Curt Valentin), New York
M. Knoedler & Co., Inc., New York, where acquired by the family of the present owner, 12th January 1961

Ann Garrould (ed.), Henry Moore Complete Drawings 1940-49, Vol. 3, The Henry Moore Foundation in Association with Lund Humphries, Aldershot, 2001, cat. no.AG 48.22, illustrated p.282.

The sheet has been fully laid down to paper which has been stretched over a wood stretcher. The left and lower edges of the sheet are deckled, in keeping with the materials, and the right and upper edges are very slightly unevenly cut. There are Artist's pinholes at all four corners, with associated small areas of loss to the sheet at all four corners, not visible in the present mount. There a few minor creases to the left vertical edge in particular, as well as along the upper edge, most of which are visible in the present mount. There is a is a minor scuff to sheet along the upper layer of the sheet at the extreme upper edge corner, where part of the sheet has been pulled away, not visible in the present frame. There are two small specks of matter, one to the red background pigment in the upper right quadrant and another beside the left shin of the larger figure. There are watermarks in two places along the right vertical edge, possibly inherent to the Artist's technique. Subject to the above the work is in excellent overall condition, with strong passages of medium and fresh colour throughout. The sheet is held within a canvas window mount and a gilt painted simple wood frame under glass. Please telephone the department on +44 207 293 6424 if you have any questions.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present work is composed of elements also found in a related drawing dated circa 1948 (HMF 2441).

‘Every few months I stop carving for two or three weeks and do life drawing… Drawing keeps one fit, like physical exercises – perhaps like water to a plant – and it lessens the danger of repeating oneself and getting into a formula. It enlarges one’s repertoire, one’s form experience’ (Henry Moore, quoted in Philip James (ed.), Henry Moore on Sculpture, MacDonald, London, 1968, p.146).