Hepworth in Colour
Published on 9. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-917976-08-4 (ISBN)
Description
This exciting book provides an opportunity to discover the vital and expressive role of colour in Barbara Hepworth's sculpture
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) is one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, best known for her abstract sculptural forms inspired by nature and the rugged seaside landscapes of Cornwall, where she lived and worked. Accompanying a major new exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery, this ambitious catalogue is the first to explore the artist's lifelong fascination with colour, which she used in highly original and unexpected ways. The exhibition and accompanying book will unite for the first time her early innovative sculptures with the colour of the 1940s, exploring them alongside the most important drawings from that decade, and will include major examples of her work with colour from the 1950s and 1960s.
This focused, research-driven volume will comprise around 20 sculptures and 30 exceptional drawings, showing sculpture in dialogue with her painted and graphic works. It provides an exciting and unique opportunity to discover the vital and expressive role of colour in Hepworth's sculpture, offering a fresh way of understanding one of the most remarkable artists of the 20th century.
Exhibition Schedule
The Courtauld Gallery, London
12 June - 6 September 2026
Published by Paul Holberton Publishing/Distributed by Yale University Press
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) is one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, best known for her abstract sculptural forms inspired by nature and the rugged seaside landscapes of Cornwall, where she lived and worked. Accompanying a major new exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery, this ambitious catalogue is the first to explore the artist's lifelong fascination with colour, which she used in highly original and unexpected ways. The exhibition and accompanying book will unite for the first time her early innovative sculptures with the colour of the 1940s, exploring them alongside the most important drawings from that decade, and will include major examples of her work with colour from the 1950s and 1960s.
This focused, research-driven volume will comprise around 20 sculptures and 30 exceptional drawings, showing sculpture in dialogue with her painted and graphic works. It provides an exciting and unique opportunity to discover the vital and expressive role of colour in Hepworth's sculpture, offering a fresh way of understanding one of the most remarkable artists of the 20th century.
Exhibition Schedule
The Courtauld Gallery, London
12 June - 6 September 2026
Published by Paul Holberton Publishing/Distributed by Yale University Press
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
130 colour illus.
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 267 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-917976-08-4 (9781917976084)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Alexandra Gerstein is Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts at the Courtauld Gallery, London.
Stephen Feeke is a writer and curator whose research focuses on Barbara Hepworth.
Kirsty Dootson is Associate Professor in Art and Material Cultures of Britain at University College London.
David Batchelor is a London-based artist and author.
Kate Edmondson is Conservator of Works on Paper at the Courtauld Gallery, London.
Stephen Feeke is a writer and curator whose research focuses on Barbara Hepworth.
Kirsty Dootson is Associate Professor in Art and Material Cultures of Britain at University College London.
David Batchelor is a London-based artist and author.
Kate Edmondson is Conservator of Works on Paper at the Courtauld Gallery, London.