Artwork details

Artist

Title

The Bridge

Description

One of a series of 18 lithographs drawn by the artist for the Auden Poems/Moore Lithographs 1974 book and portfolio. This work is from an edition of 25 printed on vellum aside from the portfolio (edition of 75) and the book. Signed by the artist lower right in pencil; numbered 10/25 lower left in pencil.

Printed in inky black, The Bridge features an abstracted scene. Shadowy shapes, perhaps the side of a bridge, emerge from the background, defined with the crosshatching characteristic of this series of prints.

The Bridge displays Moore’s fascination with light and dark – what he called a “…bias towards the blackness and mysterious depths.” Moore was inspired by the prints of Rembrandt and the drawings of Seurat, and even drew on his memories of viewing the Altamira cave paintings, recalling how some of the images used the shadow of candlelight on the rough surface of the rock to model light. Shortly before starting work on this series of lithographs, Moore had fallen ill, leaving him aware of his own mortality. His mood pervaded these prints with a sense of danger and foreboding.

The Auden/Moore limited edition book and portfolio were exhibited on publication at the British Museum, London, with an accompanying catalogue.

The Bridge is one of a group of lithographs presented with the work of poet W.H. Auden (1907-1973). Not conceived as illustrations, Moore wanted his landscape and figure works to stand alone, complementing or contrasting with Auden’s poetry. He and Auden were both from Yorkshire, and the dark landscapes that Moore produced for the project evoke the industrial nature and rugged moors of the area.

Date

1973

Medium

Lithograph

Edition

Signature

Signed

Catalogue Raisonne

Auden Poems/Moore Lithographs, with essay by John Russell, British Museum Publications, London 1974, no. 74 illustrated. David Mitchinson Henry Moore Prints and Portfolios. Patrick Cramer, Geneva 2010 no. 273, illustrated p. 207

Image

9.75 x 13.5 inches

Sheet

25.25 x 20.5 inches

Status

Available

Price

$960.00

Henry Moore

Henry Moore produced many prints, his first prints being created in the 1940s. Most of Henry Moore’s prints are lithography prints though he also produce many etching prints. All of Moore prints are original prints as Moore saw printmaking as a distinct medium to create artworks.