The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2024

Three-Way Piece No. 2: Archer

Three-Way Piece No. 2: Archer

1964
(British, 1898–1986)
with base: 88.9 x 55.9 x 88.9 cm (35 x 22 x 35 in.)
© 2010 The Henry Moore Foundation. All Rights Reserved / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Did You Know?

Two larger casts of this sculpture exist in Toronto, Canada, and Berlin, Germany.

Description

Considered by many to be the 20th century's greatest figurative sculptor, Henry Moore was also the creator of remarkable abstract works. Three-Way Piece No. 2: Archer does not literally depict an archer; rather it evokes the qualities of vigor, strength, and conflict associated with warriors or hunters. The "three ways" of the title may refer to the three main elements of the work. First, a large sweeping curved form suggests a bent bow pulling in one direction. Second, a curved vertical section represents the torso of an archer, which joins the base and leans backward. Finally, a horizontal section protruding from one side is reminiscent of an arm connecting the archer's torso to the bow. Using these abstract elements, Moore created a sculpture that may remind us of ancient images of hunters—from those drawn on cave walls to classical Greek warriors. Three-Way Piece No. 2: Archer captures the energy of the hunt in a thoroughly modern way.
  • 1970-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Monet to Dalí: Modern Masters from the Cleveland Museum of Art. Beijing World Art Museum, China (May 26-August 27, 2006); Mori Art Center (September 16-November 26, 2006); Seoul Art Center, South Korea (December 22, 2006-March 28, 2007); Seoul Olympic Museum of Art, South Korea (April 7-May 20, 2007); Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, Canada (June 9-September 16, 2007); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 21, 2007-January 13, 2008); Frist Art Museum, Nashville, TN (February 15-June 1, 2008); Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City, UT (June 22-September 21, 2008); The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI (October 12, 2008-January 18, 2009).
    CMA (organizer). Beijing World Art Museum, China, May 26 - Aug. 27, 2006; Mori Arts Center, Tokyo, Japan: Sept. 9 - Nov. 26, 2006; Seoul Arts Center, Seoul, Korea: Dec. 18, 2006 - March 31, 2007; Seoul Olympic Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea: Apr. 7 - May 20, 2007; Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: June 9 - Sept. 16, 2007; Cleveland Museum of Art, Oct. 21, 2007- January 13, 2008; Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, TN, Feb. 21-June 1, 2008; Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City, UT, June 22 - September 21, 2008; and the Detroit Institute of Arts, MI, October 12, 2008 - January 18, 2009: "Modern Masters from the Cleveland Museum of Art"
    Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht Saalfield. Mansfield Art Center, Mansfield, OH (organizer) (April 3-25, 1971).
    Year in Review: 1970. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 10-March 7, 1971).
    CMA 1971: "Year in Review 1970," cat., Bulletin LVIII (February 1971), repr. p. 69, no. 118
    Fine Arts Guild, Mansfield, 1971: "Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht Saalfield"
  • {{cite web|title=Three-Way Piece No. 2: Archer|url=false|author=Henry Moore|year=1964|access-date=28 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1970.112