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The World of Arts:
Disappearance of Henry Moore's legendary Reclining Figure
Gwen Herat
One of the most devastating British art thefts of a two tonne Henry
Moore sculpture worth three million pounds, was solved by the police
after nearly four years. They believe that this internationally revered
Reclining Figure sculpture was melted down and sold for a mere Sterling
Pounds 1,500.
The theft baffled the art and crime experts sparked off a global hunt
for the daring thieves. It was stolen in December, 2005 from Hadham,
Hertfordshire where the 72 acre estate houses the Henry Moore Foundation
that belonged to the sculptor.
Private detective
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Reclining figure by Henry Moore |
There were many theories to its disappearance. One was that it had
been stolen to order while another could have been taken by a group of
travellers from Essex and the mettle melted and sold to China's growing
demand for electrical components.
The figure would have been irreparably damaged shortly after being
taken away on a flat-bed lorry. Tracing its whereabouts indicated the
statue was moved through a Degenham scrap dealer in December, 2005 and
then to a scrapyard in Essex. Still later, it could have been shipped to
Rotterdam and further East.
In the meantime. Henry Moore Foundation offered Sterling Pounds
10,000 for its safe return without any questions being asked.
Then came a possible break when Charles Hill, a former Scotland Yard
detective attached to the arts and antique squad and presently a private
detective had been told by the notorious art thief, Johnny Johnson whose
family carried out a string of robberies at stately homes in 2005 and
2006 that a well known group of travellers was behind the theft.
Johnson alleged that the bronze had been shipped to China. Henry
Moore Foundation says that the theft of the Reclining Figure remains a
great loss and heart-rendering because the sculptor who died in 1986
took much pain and months of hard labour to finish this two-tonne icon
piece of art. It was one of Morre's favourite classical art work. Moore
who was renowned for his monumental, rounded reclining figures, would
have been devastated had he lived to see its end.
When I visited some art centres in London recently, this was the
current topic on everyone's lips, some of whom were sighing and moaning
for the loss of one of their national treasure.
Many saw a semblance if Michelangelo in Moore when he carved out
massive figures.
The Public Monuments/Sculpture Association believe though some arts
are taken for scrap, others are targeted by black market trade
collectors.
Great sculptor
Everyone believes that there is clearly an illegal art collector
market and the lack of an audit, makes it impossible to track down
thieves. Presently, the PMSA is launching an online database of art
pieces in public places to prevent such audacious thefts like that of
the Reclining Figure.
Henry Moore was accepted as a great sculptor in his long career as a
prolific artist. He can be credited for permanently enriching Western
culture. Most of his works are among the famous while others may be
lesser known.
Everything he did was towards the development of his identity and
artistic philosophy.
He worked upon large figures that are often displayed outdoors, like
the Reclining Figure.
Classically chiselled
Moore is inspirational, talented and belongs to modern history. His
rich artistic imagination is a blend of aesthetic harmony with an
accuracy in anatomy.
Very few of his contemporaries around the world can be compared with
his genius.
Moore's sculptures are created to be viewed from every single and
often, one has to walk around to see it fully and clearly.
Moore's sculptress are classically chiselled and ideal for the viewer
to sink himself passionately to feel the impact.
Very often he threw a challenge to his critics, most of whom are
baffled with what they confront. Many of Moore's sculptures are
mysterious and indicate the emergence of an important stage in his life.
When I visited several art centres and museums in London, the current
topic was the disappearance of the Reclining Figure and how Moore toiled
over this masterpiece. |
