Hepworth in Colour

Hepworth in Colour 
at The Courtauld 
until 6 September 2026 
Monday 24 August at 6pm 

Barbara Hepworth was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century, her appreciation of materials and of place being second to none. This exhibition focusses on one of her most important innovations, which has, until now, not received the attention it deserves.

The development of the fine arts during the 17th and 18th centuries has left us with the impression that painting is the most important visual art, whereas sculpture is subordinate – hence the major collection of sculpture in London being at the Victoria and Albert Museum, among the ‘other’ decorative arts. Even when sculpture was appreciated, it was valued only when made from pure white marble or patinated bronze. Hepworth’s career challenges these assumptions, and her place as one of the most significant figures of the avant-garde in the 1920s, 30s and 40s confirms her status. Among her innovations was the use of colour in sculpture, even though, as she herself laconically stated towards the end of her life,

‘In a way, my colour has been accepted, but never understood.’ 

The Courtauld takes this idea as its starting point, exhibiting a significant proportion of her surviving coloured sculptures, together with her lesser-known paintings and drawings. As ever, the small, but focussed exhibition makes its point clearly and succinctly – without stretching the argument to include her earliest works which were often carved from materials other than white marble. If we were to extend the scope of the current show, these works too would form a part of it: their colour was an essential part of the modernist doctrine of ‘truth to materials’. During the course of our usual 75 minutes, we will explore the development of Hepworth’s career in order to place what truly is a delightful exhibition into a broader context. 

Please remember, I do not record my talks.