"Two Piece Reclining Figure" a Henry Moore Sculpture

Iconography, in art history, is described by Encarta Encyclopedia as, ''the meaning of works of art conveyed by the specific objects or figures that the artist chooses to portray.'' The study of iconography in any piece of artwork is a daunting task for anyone, more than ever for a first semester Art History student. This task becomes even more difficult since iconography is most closely associated with paintings, particularly religious paintings during the Renaissance period and Chinese scroll hangings, than reemerging again in modern painting styles such as Cubism, Graffiti, and Pop Art that used everyday items as symbols to reflect modern culture. This paper will try to find the iconographic meaning behind Henry Moore's Two Piece Reclining Figure 3, a sculpture created in 1961.
With seemingly more works in public view than any other sculptor in history, Henry Moore is a giant in twentieth century art.…