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Three Standing Figures

Three Standing Figures is a large stone sculpture by Henry Moore, created between 1947 and 1948. It was first exhibited at the London County Council’s inaugural open-air sculpture exhibition in Battersea Park in 1948, where Moore’s work also featured in the event’s publicity. The sculpture was originally intended for a commission from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, but the MoMA chose another Moore work instead. Purchased by the Contemporary Art Society and then given to the London County Council, it was permanently installed in Battersea Park in 1950. The sculpture was carved from Darley Dale sandstone and became a Grade II listed building in 1988.

Three Standing Figures sculpture standing on a low base on a grassy lawn beside a tree.
Three Standing Figures by Henry Moore stands on the lawn in Battersea Park.
November 2007 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Three Standing Figures by Henry Moore stands on a grassy lawn with trees behind it.
Henry Moore’s Three Standing Figures displayed on a lawn in Battersea Park, London.
October 2009 © · CC BY 2.0
Three Standing Figures sculpture on a grassy knoll surrounded by dense green trees.
Three Standing Figures stands on a grassy knoll amid trees.
September 2021 © amandabhslater · CC BY-SA 2.0
Three Standing Figures by Henry Moore in a grassy, wooded park
Three Standing Figures stands on an oval base amid trees and greenery.
September 2021 © amandabhslater · CC BY-SA 2.0
Three Standing Figures sculpture by Henry Moore on a circular base in a grassy park, seen from behind and the side.
Henry Moore’s Three Standing Figures shown in a wooded park setting.
September 2021 © amandabhslater · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleThree Standing Figures
Original titleTrois Figures Debout
Catalogue numberLH 268
TypeStone sculpture

Historical context

Date made1947–1948
Original commissionOriginally intended to fulfill a commission from the Museum of Modern Art, New York
InspirationDrawings inspired by Moore's observations of people in underground bomb shelters during the Second World War

Creator

ArtistHenry Moore

Discovery and provenance

ModelTerracotta model made c. 1945; current location unknown
Plaster copiesTwo known copies: one at the Henry Moore Foundation and one on long-term loan to Tate Gallery
Bronze editionCast in bronze in an edition of four plus one artist's copy, 1948–1949
Later artist's copyA new personal copy was made in 1985
Other examplesExamples are held at the Smith College Museum of Art in Massachusetts and in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice

Materials

MaterialDarley Dale sandstone
MaterialTerracotta

Physical characteristics

CompositionTwo figures stand closer together and are observed by the third
PoseStanding
SubjectThree standing women
Number of figures3

Appearance

ClothingFlowing, draped garments
Facial featuresRudimentary facial features, including eye holes

Iconography and meaning

InterpretationDavid Sylvester interpreted the sculpture in The Burlington Magazine in 1948 as a family group: a protective mother, a stern father, and a child standing beside them; Sylvester noted this was an unusual interpretation
Artist commentIn 1968, Moore said it is as though the three women are standing there, expecting something to happen from the sky

Location and ownership

Ownership historyLent for the 1948 exhibition, then bought by the Contemporary Art Society and donated to the London County Council
Date installed1950
Current locationPermanently sited in Battersea Park, Battersea, London
Exhibition displayPlaced prominently at the top of a slight rise in the ground, with trees behind it
Publicity useUsed on the exhibition's advertising poster
Exhibition roleMoore was a member of the selection committee for the outdoor exhibition
Exhibited atLondon County Council's first Open-Air Sculpture Exhibition at Battersea Park in 1948

History and restoration

Listed statusGrade II listed monument
Date listed1988

Significance

Notable statusOne of the last sculptures Moore made from English stone
RecognitionMoore's reputation grew dramatically from 1948, when he was selected as Britain's greatest living artist for the 24th Venice Biennale and won the sculpture prize

Other

Popular culture appearanceAppears in the Mr. Bean episode 'Mr. Bean Goes to Town'; Bean tries to take a photo with the sculpture in the background, asks a passerby to take his picture, and the passerby steals his camera