Reclining & Standing Figure and Family Group
- Artist: Henry Moore OM, CH
- Date: 1973
- Medium: Lithograph on paper
- Dimensions: image: 445 x 324 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
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About this artwork
This is the lithograph “Reclining & Standing Figure and Family Group” by Henry Moore, created in 1973. Moore, who lived from 1898 to 1986, was a master of abstract form and loved to play with the human body in its simplest shapes. Here he condenses a family scene into a series of bold, almost sculptural outlines – a reclining parent, a standing figure, a child cradled in between – all rendered in strong black strokes on paper.
Notice how the postures shift: the reclining figure is relaxed, almost merging with the ground, while the standing figure stands upright, a counterbalance of movement. The child’s presence brings a playful, dynamic energy. The print captures Moore’s fascination with everyday life, family, and the universal language of body language. The abstraction is clear, yet it feels very personal, as if you’re peeking into a quiet domestic moment.
The lithograph, about 445 mm by 324 mm, was presented by Curwen Studio through the Institute of Contemporary Prints in 1975, offering a rare glimpse of Moore’s exploration beyond sculpture into the world of printmaking. It’s a striking reminder that even in two‑dimensional form, Moore’s figures breathe and move, inviting viewers to consider the quiet rhythm of family life.
See it in person
Reclining & Standing Figure and Family Group 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.
