HENRY MOORE, O.M., C.H. | Standing and Seated Figures

Gifted by the Artist to Albert Spencer Speight (the Artist's nephew) as a wedding present in 1951, and thence by descent to the present owner

The sheet has been laid down on card. The left edge is uneven, consistent with the sheet having been removed from an artist's sketchbook, this is not visible in the current mount. There is a light crease with associated loss of pigment in the upper right corner. There are also two light horizontal scuffs at the right of the composition and one further at the lower left edge. There is some bleeding to the ink in the signature. Subject to the above the work appears to be in very good overall condition with bright and strong pigments throughout. The work is presented in a window mount and held behind perspex in a wooden frame. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any further questions regarding the present lot.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present work is registered with the Henry Moore Foundation as HMF 2440a. They have suggested a date of circa 1948 and are of the opinion that the work is from the disbanded sketchbook 1947-9 (see ed., Ann Garrould, Henry Moore Complete Drawings 1940-1949, Volume 3, pp.259-277).