Henry Moore 1898-1986
Mother and Child: Petal Skirt, 1955
Bronze
6 1/8 x 2 1/8 x 4 1/4 in
15.5 x 5.5 x 10.5 cm
15.5 x 5.5 x 10.5 cm
Edition 4 of 6 plus 1 artist's proof
Signed Moore and numbered 4/6
Mother and Child Petal Skirt (1955) fits into Moore’s series of seated mother and child figures which, whilst more abstract in form than earlier examples such as Mother and Child...
Mother and Child Petal Skirt (1955) fits into Moore’s series of seated mother and child figures which, whilst more abstract in form than earlier examples such as Mother and Child on Ladderback Chair (1952), are informed by playful interactions and gesture towards the bond between them.
This work was, however, also made at around the same time as Moore produced the almost emaciated and broken figures represented in Reclining Figure No. 2 (1953), Seated Torso (1954), and Girl Seated against Square Wall (1957-8) whose mutilated forms lie in stark contrast to this piece which centres on themes of enduring maternal love and devotion.
Provenance
Lew and Edie Wasserman, Los Angeles (acquired from the artist after 1966);Christie's, New York, 2 November 2011, lot 233;
Michelle Rosenfeld Gallery, New York (acquired at the above sale);
Private collection, New Jersey (acquired from the above)
Exhibitions
New York, Michelle Rosenfeld Gallery, Contemporary & Modern Masters, 2014Literature
H. Read & A. Bowness (ed.), Henry Moore: Sculptures and Drawings, 1955-65, vol. 3, London, 1965, p. 26, no. 400b (another cast illustrated);A. Bowness (ed.), Henry Moore, Sculpture and Drawings 1955-64, vol. 3, London, 1986, p. 26, 400b, pl. 22 (another cast illustrated)
