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Henry Moore
Sketches of Auden: black drawing based on Auden poetry and Yorkshire landscape

1973

$970
£724.54
€839.99
CA$1,346.82
A$1,509.61
CHF 786.01
MX$18,433.02
NOK 9,979.48
SEK 9,459.65
DKK 6,267.26
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About the Item

This black and white portrait drawing is one of a series of 18 lithographs drawn by the artist for the Auden Poems/Moore Lithographs 1974 book and portfolio. This work is from an edition of 25 printed on vellum aside from the portfolio (edition of 75) and the book. Signed by the artist and numbered 8/25 lower right in pencil. This print features a pair of sketches of Auden that Moore executed from memory the day after Auden passed away. Two drawings exaggerate Auden’s characteristic furrowed forehead. At the lower left Moore wrote on the plate: “Wystan Auden Sep 30th/73” Moore spoke on the writer’s passing: “When I heard of Auden’s death I was finishing one of the illustrations for his book – I had been with him in Vienna only the week before and his presence came back vividly. The monumental ruggedness of his face, its deep furrows like plough marks crossing a field. I tried to put this on paper, to fix his memory for myself.” The Auden/Moore limited edition book and portfolio were exhibited on publication at the British Museum, London, with an accompanying catalogue. Sketches of Auden is one of a group of lithographs presented with the work of poet W.H. Auden (1907-1973). Not conceived as illustrations, Moore wanted his landscape and figure works to stand alone, complementing or contrasting with Auden’s poetry. He and Auden were both from Yorkshire, and the dark landscapes that Moore produced for the project evoke the industrial nature and rugged moors of the area. Plate 11 x 8.25 in / 27.9 x 21 cm. Paper 25.25 x 20.5 in. / 64.1 X 52 cm. Catalogue reference: Auden Poems/Moore Lithographs, with essay by John Russell, British Museum Publications, London 1974, no. 80. David Mitchinson Henry Moore Prints and Portfolios. Patrick Cramer, Geneva 2010 no. 265, illustrated p. 204 Copies of this lithograph are in the collections of Tate, London; British Museum, London; British Council, London; Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas; Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University, St. Louis; Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago; British Council, London; LACMA, Los Angeles; Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas, Austin; Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee; and the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa.
  • Creator:
    Henry Moore (1898 - 1986, British)
  • Creation Year:
    1973
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25.25 in (64.14 cm)Width: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    This print is not previously owned and has been stored in the archives of the original publisher since its publication.
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU121125332942

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One of a series of 18 lithographs drawn by the artist for the Auden Poems/Moore Lithographs 1974 book and portfolio. This work is from an edition of 25 printed on vellum aside from the portfolio (edition of 75) and the book. Signed by the artist and numbered 1/25 lower left in pencil. This print features small sketches of heads resting on forearms. Moore experimented with different angles, appearing to practice for the composition for Lullaby: Sleeping Head, which depicts a shadowy figure supporting the head of a sleeping woman. Lullaby: Sketches is a rare window into Moore’s process of composing an image. Delicate, single-line arms and hair reveal the sculptor’s equal talent as a draftsman. The imagery for Lullaby Sketches was inspired by Auden’s poem Lullaby. Lullaby was the first poem Moore read for this project, which begins: “Lay your sleeping head, my love / Human on my faithless arm; / Time and fevers burn away Individual beauty from / Thoughtful children, and the grave / Proves the child ephemeral: / But in my arms till break of day / Let the living creature lie, / Mortal, guilty, but to me / The entirely beautiful.” The Auden/Moore limited edition book and portfolio were exhibited on publication at the British Museum, London, with an accompanying catalogue. Lullaby Sketches is one of a group of lithographs...
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