Reclining Figures on Beach
- Artist: Henry Moore OM, CH
- Date: 1975–6
- Medium: Intaglio print on paper
- Dimensions: image: 175 x 229 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the “Reclining Figures on Beach” by Henry Moore. In this intaglio print from 1975‑76, Moore extends his sculptural language into two‑dimensional space. The piece shows a male and a female figure, their bodies gently curving as they recline on a sandy shore. The relaxed posture feels almost conversational, suggesting a quiet moment shared by a couple, a theme Moore often explored in his studies of the human form.
Moore’s use of line is unmistakable; the black ink outlines the shapes with a soft, almost breathing quality. The print’s tonal range is limited, but the contrast between the dark figures and the light background heightens the sense of depth and the intimacy of the setting. The beach, a place of both solidity and transience, mirrors Moore’s interest in the relationship between people and their environment.
Because it’s a print, you can see the subtle textures of the paper and the slight variations in the ink flow—each impression is a unique document of the moment when the artist captured this quiet, seaside pause. It’s a perfect example of how Moore’s monumental ideas can be distilled into a small, intimate image that still feels monumental.
See it in person
Reclining Figures on Beach is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
