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The Arch

The Arch is a 6-metre stone sculpture by Henry Moore, created in 1979–1980 and located in Kensington Gardens in London. It was made from travertine brought from northern Italy and weighs 37 tons. Moore donated the sculpture to the park in 1980. The work is an example of the artist’s monumental approach to stone sculpture and remains part of the Kensington Gardens landscape.

Henry Moore\'s The Arch stands on grass, framing water and distant trees under an overcast sky.
The Arch by Henry Moore in Kensington Gardens, seen against water and trees on a cloudy day.
May 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Arch stone sculpture frames a sunset over water and trees.
The Arch stands in a grassy landscape, with the sunset visible through its opening.
August 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Arch, a tall pale abstract stone sculpture in a grassy park with a low fence and trees behind it.
The Arch stands in a grassy area in Kensington Gardens, framed by trees and a low surrounding fence.
May 2014 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Henry Moore\'s The Arch standing on a grassy lawn with the sun shining through its opening and long shadows stretching across the grass.
Henry Moore\'s The Arch casts long shadows across the lawn in the evening light.
May 2017 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
A white gull perched on a mossy post with The Arch in the background across the water.
A gull rests on a wooden post in front of The Arch, seen across a calm stretch of water.
November 2025 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleThe Arch
Alternative titleLarge Arch

Historical context

Date1979–1980

Creator

ArtistHenry Moore

Physical characteristics

Typestone sculpture
Height6 metres
Weight37 tons

Materials

Materialtravertine marble
Material sourceNorthern Italy
Exhibition cast materialfibreglass

Location and ownership

Permanent installation siteKensington Gardens, London
Current locationKensington Gardens, London

Discovery and provenance

Original exhibition locationForte di Belvedere, Florence
Original exhibition year1963
Related exhibition1978 exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery in London
Gifted toKensington Gardens park
Gift date1980

History and restoration

Commission requestAfter the 1978 Serpentine Gallery exhibition, there was a request for Moore to leave a sculpture permanently in Kensington Gardens, which he agreed to do.
Reason for permanent versionMoore produced a travertine marble version so it could be left permanently in Kensington Gardens.
Reason for exhibition castIt was difficult to get a very heavy bronze or marble onto the site.

Appearance

Site descriptionMoore thought the sculpture was very naturally sited, especially because it could be seen reflected in the water from across the lake.
Public perceptionMany people believed the sculpture was made of marble.