Henry Moore
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Conceived in plaster in 1984 in an edition of nine plus one (numbered 0/9-9/9). The present work is number 3 from the edition and was cast in 1984 by Fiorini Ltd., London. The original plaster and bronze edition 0/9 currently reside at The Henry Moore Foundation. In 1983, Moore created a small maquette in preparation for the present work, 22 cm in length, from which he created a separate edition of 9 bronzes.
In Reclining Figure: Umbilicus, Henry Moore returns to his career-long "absolute obsession" with the reclining figure. In his own words, he describes the pre-Columbian Chac Mool sculpture that he first observed as a student at the Royal College of Art. He was taken with the form of the "figure being on its back and turned upwards to the sky instead of lying on its side... its stillness and alertness, a sense of readiness."
With the reclining figure, Moore found a form that embodies an ancient grace yet feels alive and modern. Inspired by Egyptian, African, and pre-Columbian motifs, he began to explore the theme of the reclining figure beginning in 1924 using a variety of materials including stone, bronze, and concrete. Investigating the physical properties of the materials and experimenting with form and space, Moore's consistent exploration of a single motif allowed him to express certain qualities and characteristics over time. Appearing as a graceful human form, the sensations captured by Moore are furthermore suggestive of a deeper psychological meaning which attracted the attention of the Surrealists along with his use of biomorphic forms and archetypal imagery.