Reclining Figure: Hand, Ed 8/9
Reclining Figure: Hand is a large bronze sculpture on a granite pedestal by the American artist Henry Moore. It is a monumental, abstract piece of art, and according to Moore himself a “representative work of mine.” His work generally depicts the human figure, often in a reclining position. This is true of Reclining Figure: Hand, which is immediately identifiable as a human form despite its modulated stylization.
On 17 September 1982, Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar unveiled Henry Moore's sculpture, Reclining Figure: Hand. At the ceremony, he remarked that the late Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold had greatly admired Henry Moore's work and had discussed with him the possibility of having one of his sculptures on the grounds of the United Nations. Hammarskjold had written to Moore to discuss the acquisition of one his sculptures, but Hammarskjold unfortunately passed away in a plane crash in 1961 before matters could be concluded.
Moore wanted to go through with Hammarskjold’s wishes and gift one of his sculptures to the UN because of his personal admiration for the late Secretary-General and the wonderful work done by the United Nations. Therefore, the Henry Moore Foundation gifted the sculpture Reclining Figure: Hand, as proposed by the artist himself, as a memorial to Dag Hammarskjold.