Henry Moore Studios & Gardens

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens
Name	Henry Moore Studios & Gardens
Established	1977
Location	Perry Green, Hertfordshire, England
Type	Art museum, sculpture park, historic site
Founder	Henry Moore
Director	Godfrey Worsdale
Website	https://www.henry-moore.org/

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens is a historic art destination in the rural village of Perry Green, Hertfordshire. It encompasses the former home, studios, and extensive grounds of the preeminent British sculptor Henry Moore, where he lived and worked for over forty years. Operated by the Henry Moore Foundation, the site offers a unique insight into Moore's creative process and displays a significant collection of his monumental sculptures within a natural landscape. It functions as both a museum and an evolving centre for the study and appreciation of modern sculpture.

History

The property at Perry Green became Moore's rural retreat in 1940 after his Hampstead studio was damaged during The Blitz. Initially renting Hoglands, a 16th-century farmhouse, he later purchased it and gradually acquired surrounding land and buildings. This period coincided with his rising international fame following major awards like the International Sculpture Prize at the Venice Biennale. Over decades, he transformed the estate into a working complex, adapting outbuildings like the former Palmer's Farm into studios. Following Moore's death, the Henry Moore Foundation was established per his wishes to promote the public appreciation of art, and it opened the studios and gardens to visitors in 1977, preserving the site as he left it.

The Studios

The site preserves several key studios, each serving a distinct phase of Moore's methodology. The main **Maquette Studio** in his former painting studio displays hundreds of his small-scale working models in plaster, wax, and found objects. The **Bronze Studio**, housed in a converted 19th-century hop kiln, showcases the intricate casting process, with tools and original molds present. The vast **Aisled Barn**, a medieval timber-framed structure, served as his primary space for assembling large-scale plasters and for contemplating finished bronzes. These spaces, left in a state of creative clutter, provide an intimate view of his engagement with materials and his collaborations with assistants and foundries like the Morris Singer Foundry.

The Gardens

The seventy-acre landscape is an integral part of the experience, with sculptures carefully sited in dialogue with the natural environment. Moore believed his organic forms belonged "under the sky" and positioned works among rolling fields, woodland groves, and beside the estate's ponds. Key areas include the **Sheep Field**, where iconic reclining figures overlook grazing sheep, and the **Aisled Barn Garden**, a more formal setting. The planting, including native species and mature trees, was designed to create vistas and frames for works like *Large Two Forms* and *Reclining Figure: Arch Leg*, emphasizing the relationship between art, architecture, and nature.

Collections and Exhibitions

The site holds an unparalleled collection of Moore's work, from intimate maquettes to monumental public sculptures. It maintains a rotating display of pieces from the Foundation's vast holdings, allowing for changing presentations within the historic spaces and landscape. Alongside the permanent collection, it hosts temporary exhibitions by other modern and contemporary artists, fostering dialogues with Moore's legacy. These have included shows featuring artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Alberto Giacometti, and Rachel Whiteread. The Foundation's extensive archive of Moore's papers, photographs, and library is also available for scholarly research by appointment.

Management and Access

The estate is managed by the Henry Moore Foundation, a registered charity established in 1977. Day-to-day operations are overseen by a director, with governance from a board of trustees. The site is open to the public on a seasonal basis, with pre-booked guided tours providing access to the historic studios. An on-site shop and a converted barn serving as a visitor centre facilitate public engagement. The Foundation also runs an active learning and events program, including masterclasses, lectures, and family activities, extending its educational mission beyond the physical site.

Influence and Legacy

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens is recognized globally as a seminal artist's home and workplace, comparable in importance to Musée Rodin in Paris or Château de La Coste in Provence. It has profoundly influenced the presentation of sculpture in landscape settings, setting a precedent for institutions like the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Storm King Art Center. By preserving the complete ecosystem of Moore's practice, it provides an invaluable resource for understanding 20th-century British art and the creative process. Its ongoing exhibition and research programs ensure Moore's work remains in active conversation with contemporary artists and global audiences.

Category:Art museums and galleries in Hertfordshire Category:Sculpture gardens, trails and parks in England Category:Henry Moore Category:Artists' studios Category:Museums established in 1977