Four Square Walk-Through

]] Unlike Henry Moore, Hepworth did not usually make maquettes - small preliminary studies of the composition - before proceeding to the full-size work. However, in this case, she made several smaller works on similar themes. The sculpture develops the geometrical theme of quadrilateral planes pierced by circles from her 1963 bronze Squares with Two Circles (BH 347). Parallels can also be drawn to the abstract paintings and panel relief sculptures of Hepworth's former husband Ben Nicholson (they were divorced in 1951). In 1966 Hepworth made two slate sculptures, the 12 in high Maquette for Large Sculpture: Four-Square (Four Circles) (BH 407) in an edition of 3, and then the unique 24 in…

The large sculpture comprises five quadrilateral slab-like metal elements: a horizontal base, on which stand two thick parallel square slabs on edge, on which stand two similar parallel square slabs at right angles to the lower two. Each of the standing slabs is pierced off-centre by a round hole. Although the five slabs are similar in appearance, each around 2 m square, so approximately the height of a typical person, each differs slightly in its linear dimensions, convexity, and surface detail. One of each pair of the standing elements is slightly larger than the other, so they are arranged in echelon. The holes are not perfect circles, and they taper and change shape slightly through the…