No More Moore

Mon, Jan. 31 the monumental sculptures of Henry Moore will start to be craned and crated and begin their long journey back to Moore’s estate at Perry Green in the countryside of England. The sculptures start getting packed up on Monday, but they’ll still be here. Today or tomorrow are the best days to visit – especially given the weather!

Reclining Figure at sunset at Henry Moore's estate in Perry Green.

It will take nearly two weeks to prepare the 100,000 lbs. of sculpture for the first leg of the journey from Denver, CO to the east coast at the New Jersey port.
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5 Ways to Experience Henry Moore Indoors

As the chill in the air finally gives way to snow, you may be feeling too snugly to get outside and see Moore in the Gardens. Whether you’re on a visit to see the Gardens in their winter glory or are reading this on your couch with a cup of tea in hand, here are 5 ways to stay warm and experience the majestic works of Henry Moore. 

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Henry Moore’s Inspiration from the Natural World

“Sculpture should always at first sight have some obscurities, and further meanings. People should want to go on looking and thinking; it should never tell all about itself immediately.” – Henry Moore, 1968

The impressive and seamless interaction of Henry Moore’s sculptures with the landscape of the Gardens gives the impression that Moore (1898-1986) had been working intently with form and landscape from the early days of his art career. However, it wasn’t until he was nearly 50 years old during the end of World War II that he began to focus on creating sculpture for landscape, and it wasn’t until he was well into his 60s that he began to reference natural objects in his sculpture work.

"Goslar Warrior" (LH 641, 1973-74) Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin.

After losing his home and studio in London to damages from air raids, Moore and his wife moved to Perry Green at Hertfordshire in 1940. The lush rolling hills enveloped by the Chestnut and Beech trees became inspiration for Moore to focus on creating dialogue between sculpture and landscape and a source for working pure, organic forms into his work.

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Winter Gardens: Week of November 12th

Snowy days are some of my favorite times in the Gardens. As I stroll the paths, I feel as though I am the grande dame of a grand estate, maintained meticulously and solely for my delight.
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‘The Nature of Sculpture’ with Dr. Anita Feldman of the Henry Moore Foundation

Dr. Anita Feldman, Head of Collections and Exhibits of the Henry Moore Foundation will be at the Gardens this coming Wednesday, October 27 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Dr. Feldman will look at Moore’s inspiration from nature, his working methods and his treatment of natural forms in different media, including prints, drawings and even textile design.
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Water Gardens are Fabulous in Sept., Part III

First Victoria Waterlily Flower

Collector’s Series

It was a special day, which seems to be the norm these days at the new and vibrant Denver Botanic Gardens. It was Saturday morning, Sept. 18, 2010. It was unusually warm, yet pleasant.

The visitors were buzzing as they were enjoying immensely their strolls through the fascinating, bold and inspiring outside gardens.

Cameras were snapping. One visitor commented on her fascination with the fairyland fog-laden and waterlily-decorated Four Towers Fountain Pool.

First Victoria Waterlily Flower Dazzles all at Monet Pool

The ”icing on the cake” was the splendid pearly-white Victoria flower cradled amongst the gently swaying, distinctive, giant water-platter leaves. A long time coming, it was a special treat for the many energized visitors.
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Explore Moore’s Modernism with Michael Parke-Taylor, Art Gallery of Ontario

Pictured here: Moore, Warrior with Shield, 1953-54 (LH 360), bronze, edition of 5 + 1. Height: 152.5cm. Art Gallery of Ontario, Gift from the Junior Women's Committee Fund, 1955. #54/12.

Join Art Gallery of Ontario’s Curator of Modern Art, Michael Parke-Taylor, at the Gardens this Thursday, June 10 at 7 p.m. for the Curator Lecture Series: “Henry Moore: Reputation/Reception/Recuperation.” Examine a darker side to Henry Moore that comes to the fore in the 1930s, informed by contemporary developments from both surrealist and abstract camps (Picasso, Giacometti and Arp).

Once Moore had achieved international fame after WWII, what was his reception in the U.K. and particularly in Toronto? How does his reputation need to be recuperated in order to assess his true achievement? How have contemporary artists responded to Moore? Turner Prize winning British artist Simon Starling will provide the test case.

Timothy Standring does not contain his enthusiasm for Henry Moore

Dr. Timothy Standring

Kicking off our curator series on Wednesday, May 12, Timothy Standring from the Denver Art Museum will join us for what will undoubtedly be a no-holds-barred, frank discussion about Henry Moore’s work at Denver Botanic Gardens. Limited reservations are available to take a walk with Timothy around the Gardens. Hear Timothy’s thoughts and opinions about the work and its significance. Following the walk will be a lecture where Timothy will unpack Moore’s pre-cultural notions of sculpture, investigating the ideas that shaped Henry Moore’s forms. If you haven’t heard Timothy speak before, you’re in for a big treat.  He’s funny and wicked smart. Register here.