Henry Moore Shelter Sketch Book

During the war Henry Moore, who is, of course, well known as a sculptor, has spent much of his time making drawings of the people and scenes in the air-raid shelters. These drawings have been much admired wherever they have been exhibited, whether in the National Gallery or in America, both for their technical skill and because they have attained so well the atmosphere demanded by their subject.

In his Shelter Sketch Book there are facsimile reproductions of 82 drawings taken from two original sketch books in the possession of Sir Kenneth Clark and the artist’s wife.

Mr. Moore’s drawings are a not inconsiderable part of his work, and this book has an added interest in that in a sense it shows him at work (it was from these preliminary sketches that his final, exhibited drawings grew), and shows how through all the multitude of variations he has succeeded in illuminating his theme. He is the only War Artist to have taken shelter life for his subject. In doing so he has made the most of his opportunity to make of warfare a theme for the illumination of humanity, following in his own, individual way the example of artists such as Goya and Picasso.

Shelter Sketch Book is, we believe, the most important document produced by an English artist in wartime.

Moore’s facsimile signature on flyleaf.

Condition: Binding fragile. Half-inch split to base of spine.  Spotting to prelims. Dust-wrapper heavily worn.