This landmark publication explores Henry Moore’s profound dialogue with natureas a vital force that shaped his vision of life and humanity.

Henry Moore was one of the most distinctive and important British artists of the twentieth century. Henry Moore: Monumental Nature examines Moore’s work and his relationship with nature across three sections offering a fresh perspective on his evolving practice, with particular focus on his profound and multifaceted connection to the natural world. For Moore, nature was more than a source of visual inspiration, it was a guiding force and a mirror of the human condition. This book reveals how he engaged with the natural world not only as an artist but also as a thinker investigating the interdependence of plant, animal, and human life. 

Laura Bruni’s essay offers an overarching perspective, situating Moore’s deliberate use of materials within his sustained engagement with nature and organic forms. It traces the connections between his practice, botany, and the natural world, while also providing a focused analysis of selected works. Contributions by Sebastiano Barassi and Lisa Le Feuvre focus on Moore’s artistic output in the landscape. Giovanni Aloi considers Moore’s body of drawings on trees created towards the end of the artist’s career. 

Specialists from Kew consider Moore in relation to their own specific area of expertise. Continuing the theme of landscape in Moore’s work, Kevin Martin describes the changing landscape at Kew and how it will adapt in the future. Richard Buggs considers the artistry of nature at a microscopic level, something that fascinated Moore early in his career. Lynn Parker reflects on the unexpected synergies between botanical illustration and Moore’s work. Finally, Iain Parkinson considers the landscape at Wakehurst and Moore’s sculptures on display there. 

All together, these texts invite a deep, interdisciplinary reappraisal of Moore’s practice that challenges conventional readings and underscores his relevance as an artist of both his time and ours. Stunningly presented with beautiful illustrations throughout, this selection highlights the breadth and diversity of Moore’s work, offering insight into the creative processes that informed his most celebrated large-scale sculptures. Presented with a foreword by Godfrey Worsdale and Richard Deverell, directors of the Henry Moore Foundation and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, respectively, this book is published in conjunction with the major exhibition on the artist opening in 2026 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, organized with the Henry Moore Foundation, which will bring together more than one hundred works spanning from monumental bronzes to drawings, maquettes, prints, and carvings.