Barbara Hepworth at Fondation Maeght

The Fondation Marguerite et Aimé Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence presents ‘Art & Life’, a landmark retrospective dedicated to Barbara Hepworth, one of the 20th century’s most influential sculptors.

Curated by Eleanor Clayton, the exhibition offers a chronological look at Hepworth’s artistic journey, from her early years in Yorkshire to a leading figure in the St Ives art colony and her pioneering role in modernist sculpture, offering a rare opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of her vision. “Deeply spiritual and passionately engaged with political, social and technological debates in the 20th century, Hepworth was obsessed with how the physical encounter with sculpture could impact the viewer and alter their perception of the world,” says Clayton.

Visitors will also discover lesser-known aspects of her oeuvre, including drawings and prints. The exhibition highlights the huge variety of influences that Hepworth drew from, including dance, science, space exploration and politics, as well as from her personal life. Founded in 1964, the Fondation Maeght is home to one of the largest collections of modern art in Europe, featuring works by renowned 20th-century figures including Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall and Joan Miró. The recently expanded exhibition spaces allow for an ambitious presentation of this special event, reaffirming Hepworth’s enduring relevance.

Until November 2

For more information, visit www.fondation-maeght.com

From France Today Magazine

Lead photo credit : Barbara Hepworth, Oval with Two Forms, 1972, polished bronze, 33 x 39.4 x 30.4 cm, private collection, on long loan to The Hepworth Wakefield