Torso II (Torcello) (1958), Corymb (1959) and Stone Sculpture (Fugue II) (1956): Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, St Ives, Cornwall
Diversity characterised Barbara Hepworth's experiments with metal sculptures in 1956-8. The Tate's cast of "Torso II (Torcello)" has been polished by weathering and handling in its public position in the artist's garden; this has worn away much of the green patination and allowed a certain amount of algal growth. Nevertheless, it is in good condition, and has been solvent cleaned prior to the application of a protective wax coating. "Corymb" (1959) was executed in the early years of Barbara Hepworth's experimentation with making plasters specifically for casting in bronze. The title is a botanical term. A 'corymb' is one of several types of 'indeterminate' inflorescence (or cluster of flowers) in which the lower buds are borne on longer stems (pedicels) giving the cluster a flat head of flowers. Hepworth had long been a keen gardener and the walled studio garden at Trewyn, where her works are sited, provided her with the opportunity to extend this enthusiasm. "Stone Sculpture (Fugue II)": the sculpture's rhythmic quality is alluded to in the musical title. The visible working of the stone demonstrates Hepworth's practice of carving with a point chisel in parallel lines; on the lower part cuts have been made at right angles to achieve the face. The reductive process was very gradual, and this makes it likely that the smooth plane to the left (running almost the full height) is not a finished surface but the dressed face of the original block, to which the sculpture is closely worked. As the next stage, a claw chisel would be used to take the rest of the rough surface back to the deepest cut made with the point. In this process the crisp lines of the edges of the forms which describe the planar transitions and openings would be secured.
Size: 3413px × 5120px
Location: Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden, St Ives, Cornwall, England, UK
Photo credit: © will Perrett / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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