Which monumental sculpture by Henry Moore was installed beside the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 1958?

Henry Moore’s UNESCO Reclining Figure was installed beside the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 1958.

The bronze sculpture was commissioned for the new UNESCO building designed by Marcel Breuer, Bernard Zehrfuss, and Pier Luigi Nervi. Moore chose the reclining figure, a recurring subject in his work, because it could be viewed from multiple directions and could relate to the surrounding architectural space.

The work is approximately 5.5 metres long and was cast in bronze. Its simplified body has broad, rounded masses and openings that allow the viewer to see through the form. Moore’s approach combines recognizable human anatomy with an abstract treatment of volume and space.

The sculpture is often discussed alongside Moore’s many other reclining figures, but it was made specifically for the UNESCO setting. Its placement reflects the institution’s postwar interest in art, culture, education, and international exchange.