Sheep Piece – Abstract Sheep Graze at the Zürichhorn

A simple observation inspired Henry Moore to create his “Sheep Piece” work which is based on grazing sheep.

Bronze sculpture “Sheep Piece” on the Zürichhorn lakeside promenade

The English sculptor and illustrator Henry Moore was a great observer of nature. He selected a shape that is both monumental and romantic for his “Sheep Piece”.

He saw the sheep outside his window as balls of wool with a head and 4 legs. He could only imagine the bodies that lay beneath what looked like clouds of wool. Fascinated by this observation, Moore created a sculpture of two over-sized bodies to draw attention to these everyday animals, which often go unnoticed in nature.

His abstract sculpture was positioned on the Zürichhorn lakeside promenade in 1976 as part of a Moore exhibition. 

Bronze sculpture by Henry MooreNear the Pavillon Le CorbusierOn the shore of Lake Zurich