Reclining Figure was originally carved in ironstone in 1930 from a stone found on the beach. However, it proved to be unsuitable for a lasting sculpture, as the stone’s instability meant that parts began to disintegrate. Some other works that Moore made in ironstone had already disintegrated, so when the ironstone Reclining Figure was damaged, he decided to cast it in bronze as a lasting copy. Robert and Lisa Sainsbury had bought the sculpture in 1935 and, with their permission, Moore borrowed it back in 1962 in order to create a mould to cast the bronze.

In 1930 Moore had not yet embraced bronze for its ability to make multiples; he only began to cast works in bronze consistently in the 1950s. This enabled him to make works in editions to meet customer demand, and create larger works for the outdoors. By 1962, he would cast small works up to an edition of twelve, plus two artist copies. Reclining Figure was cast in an edition of just two: one given to the Sainsburys and one for Moore’s wife, Irina. It would have been frowned upon to make any more, as the Sainsburys bought the ironstone version on the understanding that it was a unique sculpture. Both the ironstone and the bronze cast are now in the Sainsbury Centre collection.

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