Portrait of Henry Moore

Your Guide to the 100 Most Famous Henry Moore Paintings

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 492 works by Henry Moore in our catalogue

In short

Henry Moore's best-known piece is Reclining Figure. You'll find it at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit. Next on the list are Falling Warrior (1957) and Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47). We have 492 works by Henry Moore in our catalogue; this guide picks out the 100 best known, with the year, the museum and the story of each piece.

1898 – 1986, Castleford Modernism Most works: Tate Britain
Reclining Figure by Henry Moore1. Reclining Figure Falling Warrior (1957) by Henry Moore2. Falling Warrior 1957 Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47) by Henry Moore3. Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47)

The 10 Henry Moore paintings to know first

1
Reclining Figure by Henry Moore

Reclining Figure

Wood · Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit

Form and Materiality This elmwood carving presents an abstracted human form through sinuous lines and organic voids. The sculpture utilizes the wide grain of the wood to emphasize its undulating limbs and torso. Holes are integrated into the composition, allowing light and space to penetrate the solid mass. These openings create a relationship between the internal volume and the surrounding environment. Compositional Elements The figure features a looped head and…

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2
Falling Warrior (1957) by Henry Moore

Falling Warrior

1957 · Bronze · National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool

In the quiet halls of Tate Britain, there exists a moment of profound stillness captured in bronze—a masterpiece that breathes with the weight of history and the lightness of spirit. Henry Moore’s “Falling Warrior,” created between 1956 and 1957, is far more than a mere sculpture; it is a meditation on the very nature of existence. As one approaches this monumental work, the eye is immediately drawn to the fluid,…

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3
Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47) by Henry Moore

Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47)

Painting

In the vast landscape of twentieth-century modernism, few names resonate with as much tactile power and organic grace as Henry Moore. While the world often recognizes him through his monumental bronze figures that command public squares across the globe, his foray into the two-dimensional realm offers a uniquely intimate window into his creative psyche. Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47) stands as a breathtaking testament to this versatility, a painting that does…

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4
Sheep 1 by Henry Moore

Sheep 1

Oil

In the quiet, evocative lines of Sheep 1, we encounter a profound moment of connection between the viewer and the natural world. This striking black and white drawing by the legendary British master Henry Moore transcends simple animal portraiture to become an exploration of form, texture, and presence. The subject—a sheep with a thick, tactile wool coat—is rendered not merely as livestock, but as a sculptural entity. With its prominent…

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5
A Miner at Work (1942) by Henry Moore

A Miner at Work

1942 · Sculpture · Imperial War Museums, London

In the heavy, shadowed atmosphere of 1942, amidst the profound uncertainties of the Second World War, Henry Moore captured a moment of quiet, monumental strength in "A Miner at Work." This piece serves as much more than a mere depiction of industrial labor; it is a profound meditation on the human spirit under pressure. The artwork presents a solitary figure, a miner seated at the coal face, rendered through Moore’s…

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7
Figure in a Shelter (1983) by Henry Moore

Figure in a Shelter

1983 · Sculpture Bronze · Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth

Henry Moore (1898-1986), a titan of twentieth-century sculpture, remains an artist whose work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. His unwavering fascination with the human form—particularly its reclining postures—coupled with his exploration of organic shapes derived from nature—like pebbles and seashells—established him as a pioneer of abstract expressionism while simultaneously grounding his art in palpable physicality.

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8
The Artist's Hand V (1979) by Henry Moore

The Artist's Hand V

1979 · Lithograph · Tate Britain, London

In the quiet intimacy of Henry Moore’s “The Artist's Hand V,” created in 1979, we are invited into a profound dialogue between the creator and his medium. This exquisite lithograph serves as more than a mere anatomical study; it is a soulful meditation on the very act of making. Through the outstretched gesture of Moore’s own hand, the artwork captures a moment of suspended animation, where the boundary between the…

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9
Reclining Figure. Points by Henry Moore

Reclining Figure. Points

Bronze

In the vast landscape of twentieth-century British art, few names resonate with as much monumental authority as Henry Moore. His sculpture, Reclining Figure. Points, serves as a profound testament to his mastery of organic abstraction, a style that seeks to distill the complex vitality of the human form into its most essential, elemental shapes. Created during the late 1960s, this bronze masterpiece transcends mere representation; it is an exploration of…

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10
Hands I (1973) by Henry Moore

Hands I

1973 · Lithograph · Tate Britain, London

Henry Moore's 'Hands I,' created in 1973, is more than just a lithograph depicting two hands clasped together; it’s a profound meditation on connection, vulnerability, and the enduring human need for touch. Born in Castleford, Yorkshire, in 1898, Henry Spencer Moore rose to international prominence as a sculptor, yet his exploration of form extended into printmaking with remarkable sensitivity. This particular work, rendered in stark black and white, captures an…

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Numbers 11 to 100: more Henry Moore paintings

11Reclining Figure; Open Pose by Henry MooreReclining Figure; Open Pose 12Madonna and Child by Henry MooreMadonna and Child 13Seated Figure I Line Drawing by Henry MooreSeated Figure I Line Drawing 14Two Piece Sculpture No. 7; Pipe by Henry MooreTwo Piece Sculpture No. 7; Pipe 15Animal Turned Head by Henry MooreAnimal Turned Head 16Girl Seated at Desk V; and Seated Figure by Henry MooreGirl Seated at Desk V; and Seated Figure 17Elephant's Head by Henry MooreElephant's Head 18Catspaws off the Land (1885) by Henry MooreCatspaws off the Land1885 · Tate Britain 19Portrait of Isabel de Cistué y Nieto (Retrato de Dª Isabel de Cistué y Nieto) by Henry MoorePortrait of Isabel de Cistué y Nieto (Retrato de Dª Isabel de Cistué y Nieto)Zaragoza Museum 20Family Group by Henry MooreFamily GroupFinnish National Gallery 21Two Monumental Reclining Figures by Henry MooreTwo Monumental Reclining Figures 22Hand Relief No. 2 by Henry MooreHand Relief No. 2 23Two Reclining Figures In Yellow And Green by Henry MooreTwo Reclining Figures In Yellow And Green 24Setting Nets on the Coast of North Wales (1874) by Henry MooreSetting Nets on the Coast of North Wales1874 · National Maritime Museum 25Hove-to for a Pilot (1893) by Henry MooreHove-to for a Pilot1893 · National Maritime Museum 26Small Mother and Child by Henry MooreSmall Mother and Child 27Coalminers by Henry MooreCoalminers 28Reclining Figure 3 by Henry MooreReclining Figure 3 29Maquette for Standing Figure by Henry MooreMaquette for Standing Figure 30Four reclining figures 2 by Henry MooreFour reclining figures 2 31Standing Nudes by Henry MooreStanding Nudes 32Ideas for Sculpture 4 by Henry MooreIdeas for Sculpture 4 33Plate XIX, from Mother and Child by Henry MoorePlate XIX, from Mother and Child 34Mary doing Homework by Henry MooreMary doing Homework 35Girl seated at desk IX by Henry MooreGirl seated at desk IX 36Eight plaster heads by Henry MooreEight plaster heads 37Mother and Child by Henry MooreMother and Child 38Seated Figure by Henry MooreSeated Figure 39Woman Seated on Fireside Stool by Henry MooreWoman Seated on Fireside Stool 40Vultures by Henry MooreVultures 41Plate XVIII, from Mother and Child by Henry MoorePlate XVIII, from Mother and Child 42Falling Warrior by Henry MooreFalling Warrior 43Ideas for Sculpture; Three Reclining Figures by Henry MooreIdeas for Sculpture; Three Reclining Figures 44Plate XXVIII, from Mother and Child by Henry MoorePlate XXVIII, from Mother and Child 45Mother Playing With Child On Floor I by Henry MooreMother Playing With Child On Floor I 46Three motives by Henry MooreThree motives 47Warrior's Head by Henry MooreWarrior's Head 48Family Group 5 by Henry MooreFamily Group 5 49Two Bulb Forms by Henry MooreTwo Bulb Forms 50Girl Doing Homework by Henry MooreGirl Doing Homework 51Zebra by Henry MooreZebra 52Sculptures - Dark Interior by Henry MooreSculptures - Dark Interior 53Seated Figure 4 by Henry MooreSeated Figure 4 54Reclining Figure Piranesi Background III by Henry MooreReclining Figure Piranesi Background III 55Large Reclining Figure and Small Motifs by Henry MooreLarge Reclining Figure and Small Motifs 56Reclining Mother and Child IV by Henry MooreReclining Mother and Child IV 57Plate XI, from Mother and Child by Henry MoorePlate XI, from Mother and Child 58Figures in Street by Henry MooreFigures in Street 59Sleeping Figure by Henry MooreSleeping Figure 60Seated Figure; Thin Head by Henry MooreSeated Figure; Thin Head 61Mother and Child; Uncrossed Feet by Henry MooreMother and Child; Uncrossed Feet 62Head of Girl and reclining Figure by Henry MooreHead of Girl and reclining Figure 63Upright Motive. Maquette No. 3 by Henry MooreUpright Motive. Maquette No. 3 64Six Reclining Figures by Henry MooreSix Reclining Figures 65Maquette for Reclining Figure No. 2 by Henry MooreMaquette for Reclining Figure No. 2 66Maquette For Mother And Child; Hood by Henry MooreMaquette For Mother And Child; Hood 67Maquette for Mother and Child; Upright by Henry MooreMaquette for Mother and Child; Upright 68Two Piece Reclining Figure; Double Circle by Henry MooreTwo Piece Reclining Figure; Double Circle 69Rocking Chair No. 2 by Henry MooreRocking Chair No. 2 70West Wind by Henry MooreWest Wind 71Ideas for Sculpture in Settings by Henry MooreIdeas for Sculpture in Settings 72Seated Figures and Ideas for Sculpture 1 by Henry MooreSeated Figures and Ideas for Sculpture 1 73King and Queen by Henry MooreKing and Queen 74Sheep in Landscape by Henry MooreSheep in Landscape 75Maquette for Reclining Figure by Henry MooreMaquette for Reclining Figure 76Upright Motive; Maquette No. 8 by Henry MooreUpright Motive; Maquette No. 8 77Two seated Figures against a pillar by Henry MooreTwo seated Figures against a pillar 78Idea for sculpture by Henry MooreIdea for sculpture 79Reclining Figure; Umbilicus by Henry MooreReclining Figure; Umbilicus 80Rocking Chair No. 3 by Henry MooreRocking Chair No. 3 81Standing Figure No. 1 by Henry MooreStanding Figure No. 1 82Divided Head by Henry MooreDivided Head 83Head; Lines by Henry MooreHead; Lines 84Reclining Mother And Child; Shell Skirt by Henry MooreReclining Mother And Child; Shell Skirt 85Rocking Chairs by Henry MooreRocking Chairs 86Bonnet Figure by Henry MooreBonnet Figure 87Nude by Henry MooreNude 88Reclining Figure No. 4 by Henry MooreReclining Figure No. 4 89Three Female Figures (Cramer 16) by Henry MooreThree Female Figures (Cramer 16) 90Three Standing Figures by Henry MooreThree Standing Figures 91Two Torsos by Henry MooreTwo Torsos 92Madonna and Child 2 by Henry MooreMadonna and Child 2 93Two Seated Women and Child by Henry MooreTwo Seated Women and Child 94Helmet Head No. 3 by Henry MooreHelmet Head No. 3 95Draped Seated Figure against Curved Wall by Henry MooreDraped Seated Figure against Curved Wall 96Mother and Child 2 by Henry MooreMother and Child 2 97Reclining Nude by Henry MooreReclining Nude 98Woman Reading by Henry MooreWoman Reading 99Reclining Warrior by Henry MooreReclining Warrior 100Maquette for Mother and Child with Apple by Henry MooreMaquette for Mother and Child with Apple

What Henry Moore painted most

The four subjects that come up most often in these pieces, each with its best-known example.

Scenes 22 works

Madonna and Child, Henry Moore #12 Madonna and Child Animal Turned Head, Henry Moore #15 Animal Turned Head Two Monumental Reclining Figures, Henry Moore #21 Two Monumental Reclining Figures Two Reclining Figures In Yellow And Green, Henry Moore #23 Two Reclining Figures In Yellow And Green

Children 15 works

Small Mother and Child, Henry Moore #26 Small Mother and Child Plate XIX, from Mother and Child, Henry Moore #33 Plate XIX, from Mother and Child Mother and Child, Henry Moore #37 Mother and Child Plate XVIII, from Mother and Child, Henry Moore #41 Plate XVIII, from Mother and Child

Mothers 15 works

Mother Playing With Child On Floor I, Henry Moore #45 Mother Playing With Child On Floor I Sculptures - Dark Interior, Henry Moore #52 Sculptures - Dark Interior Reclining Mother and Child IV, Henry Moore #56 Reclining Mother and Child IV Plate XI, from Mother and Child, Henry Moore #57 Plate XI, from Mother and Child

Body 9 works

Elephant's Head, Henry Moore #17 Elephant's Head Eight plaster heads, Henry Moore #36 Eight plaster heads Warrior's Head, Henry Moore #47 Warrior's Head Seated Figure; Thin Head, Henry Moore #60 Seated Figure; Thin Head

Where you can see Henry Moore's paintings

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Henry Moore Paintings from this list
Tate Britain, LondonTate Britain London 3 The Artist's Hand V, Hands I, Catspaws off the Land
National Maritime Museum, LondonNational Maritime Museum London 2 Setting Nets on the Coast of North Wales, Hove-to for a Pilot
Detroit Institute of Arts, DetroitDetroit Institute of Arts Detroit 1 Reclining Figure
National Museums Liverpool, LiverpoolNational Museums Liverpool Liverpool 1 Falling Warrior
Imperial War Museums, LondonImperial War Museums London 1 A Miner at Work
Kimbell Art Museum, Fort WorthKimbell Art Museum Fort Worth 1 Figure in a Shelter
Zaragoza Museum, SaragossaZaragoza Museum Saragossa 1 Portrait of Isabel de Cistué y Nieto (Retrato de Dª Isabel de Cistué y Nieto)
Finnish National Gallery, HelsinkiFinnish National Gallery Helsinki 1 Family Group

Decade by decade: the best-known Henry Moore piece of each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see its standout piece.

Henry Moore: quick answers about the paintings

What is Henry Moore's best-known painting?See the answer

Top of the list is Reclining Figure, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit. Right behind it: Falling Warrior (1957) and Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47).

What are Henry Moore's top 10 paintings?See the answer

Reclining Figure, Falling Warrior, Sculptural Objects (Cramer 47), Sheep 1, A Miner at Work, Seated figure on square steps, Figure in a Shelter, The Artist's Hand V, Reclining Figure. Points and Hands I. You'll find the year and the museum of each in the list above.

How many works by Henry Moore are in your catalogue?See the answer

We have 492 works by Henry Moore in our catalogue, dated 1942 to 1983.

In which museums can you see Henry Moore's famous works?See the answer

You'll find most of them in Tate Britain (London), National Maritime Museum (London) and Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit). The museum list above has the full breakdown.

When did Henry Moore make the most famous pieces?See the answer

In 1970s, more than any other time: 2 of the 100 pieces on this page date from then, The Artist's Hand V among them.

What are Henry Moore's first and last famous pieces?See the answer

The earliest piece here is A Miner at Work (1942); the most recent is Figure in a Shelter (1983).

Which subjects did Henry Moore paint most often?See the answer

Scenes (22), Children (15) and Mothers (15), out of the 100 pieces on this page.

Which medium shows up most in Henry Moore's paintings?See the answer

Bronze, used in 3 of the 100 pieces on this page.

What style or movement is Henry Moore known for?See the answer

Modernism, as you can see in the pieces on this page.

Which famous Henry Moore paintings are at the Tate Britain?See the answer

You can see 3 of the pieces on this page at the Tate Britain, London, including The Artist's Hand V, Hands I and Catspaws off the Land.

Henry Moore's story

A Life Sculpted in Form: The World of Henry Moore

Henry Spencer Moore, born in the Yorkshire mining town of Castleford in 1898, emerged as one of Britain’s most significant and internationally celebrated sculptors of the twentieth century. His journey from humble beginnings to global recognition is a testament to his unwavering dedication to artistic exploration and his profound connection to the human form and the natural world. Moore's father, a self-taught man with a passion for learning, instilled in him a belief in the power of education, steering him away from the life of a miner towards formal schooling. Even as a young boy, Moore demonstrated an innate talent for modeling clay and carving wood, foreshadowing the path his life would take. This early engagement with tactile materials laid the foundation for a career defined by three-dimensional form. His experiences growing up amidst the rolling hills of Yorkshire deeply influenced his aesthetic sensibility, imbuing his work with a sense of organic fluidity that echoes the landscape of his birthplace.

Early Influences and Artistic Development

Moore’s artistic education began at Castleford Secondary School, where his art teacher recognized and nurtured his talent. He later attended Leeds School of Art and then the Royal College of Art in London, immersing himself in the study of classical sculpture and modern movements like Cubism. However, Moore wasn't simply a follower of trends; he synthesized these influences into something uniquely his own. A pivotal moment came during a visit to Mexico in 1925, where he encountered pre-Columbian sculptures – particularly those of the Aztec civilization. The powerful simplicity and abstract forms of these works resonated deeply with Moore, liberating him from conventional representational constraints. He began to explore abstraction more fully, focusing on the human figure as a source of inspiration but moving away from strict anatomical accuracy. This period saw the development of his signature style: semi-abstract sculptures characterized by rounded, organic shapes and often featuring openings or voids that played with light and space.

The Reclining Figure and Mother and Child

Throughout his career, two recurring motifs dominated Moore’s oeuvre: the reclining figure and the mother and child. The *reclining figure*, in particular, became synonymous with his name. These sculptures are not merely depictions of the human body at rest; they are explorations of form, volume, and the relationship between the figure and its surrounding space. Their undulating curves evoke a sense of timelessness and serenity, while their often fragmented or pierced forms suggest vulnerability and resilience. The *mother and child* theme, equally prevalent in his work, speaks to universal themes of love, protection, and nurturing. Moore’s depictions of mothers and children are imbued with a profound emotional depth, capturing the intimate bond between parent and offspring. These sculptures were not idealized representations but rather honest portrayals of human connection, often reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the era in which they were created.

Wartime Reflections and Public Commissions

The outbreak of World War II profoundly impacted Moore’s work. He began documenting Londoners sheltering from the Blitz in the Underground stations, creating a series of powerful drawings that captured the fear, resilience, and communal spirit of the time. These *Shelter Drawings* are not only important historical documents but also demonstrate Moore's ability to translate his sculptural sensibility into two-dimensional form. After the war, Moore received numerous public commissions, allowing him to create large-scale sculptures for schools, hospitals, and civic spaces. He believed that art should be accessible to all and actively sought opportunities to integrate his work into everyday life. These monumental bronzes became landmarks, transforming urban landscapes and inspiring generations of artists and viewers. His ability to fulfill these grand projects while remaining true to his artistic vision solidified his reputation as a leading figure in modern sculpture.

Legacy and Enduring Influence

Henry Moore’s influence on twentieth-century art is undeniable. He paved the way for subsequent generations of sculptors, challenging conventional notions of form and space and demonstrating the power of abstraction. His work continues to resonate with audiences today, inspiring awe and contemplation. In 1977, Moore established the Henry Moore Foundation, ensuring that his legacy would endure through education and the promotion of the arts. The foundation supports artists, scholars, and institutions worldwide, furthering Moore’s commitment to fostering creativity and artistic innovation. His sculptures stand as enduring monuments to human ingenuity and a testament to the transformative power of art. Moore’s work remains a powerful reminder of the enduring human spirit and the beauty that can be found in even the most challenging circumstances.

All 492 works by Henry Moore →