Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Poised to Fetch Millions at Auction
A significant post-war work by the renowned British sculptor Barbara Hepworth, inspired by the Cornish landscape, is expected to command a high price at auction.
A post-war sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, deeply influenced by the Cornish landscape, is anticipated to sell for up to £8 million at auction. The piece, described as capturing the essence of the "world begin[ning] again" after World War II, highlights the profound impact of Cornwall on Hepworth's artistic development.
Hepworth relocated to Cornwall in 1939 with her artist husband, Ben Nicholson, and their family at the onset of the Second World War. She resided and worked at Trewyn Studio in St Ives from 1949 until her death in 1975. This studio is now part of the Tate Barbara Hepworth Museum.
Auctioneers noted that the unique light, coastline, and ancient stones of Cornwall became integral to Hepworth's artistic practice, influencing her innovative use of color in her sculptures. Alice Murray, Christie's head of modern British and Irish Art, commented on the sculpture, stating, "Three hollows, painted blue, grey and white, catch the light like the first minutes of morning."
The piece exemplifies Hepworth's later work, where her engagement with her surroundings in Cornwall informed her sculptural forms and palettes. The region's natural elements were not merely a backdrop but a foundational element of her creative output during her years in St Ives.