Rock Form (Porthcurno) (1964)

by Barbara Hepworth (1903 - 1975)

Title

Rock Form (Porthcurno)
Artist

Barbara Hepworth (1903 - 1975)
Year

1964; installed 1979; relocated 2012; (Cast #1/6)
Location

Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 17th Street
Medium

Bronze, on granite base
Dimensions

Height 8’5″, width 2'6", depth 1'9" (base height 3’5″, width 3'2")
Themes

Women and Public Art

Commissioned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority

Gift of David N. Pincus to the Fairmount Park Art Association (now the Association for Public Art)

Owned by the Association for Public Art

At A Glance

Dame Barbara Hepworth was one of the 20th century’s most eminent sculptors
Based on rock forms around Porthcurno, a village near Hepworth’s studio in England
Hepworth created abstract works influenced by natural shapes

One of the 20th century’s most eminent sculptors, Dame Barbara Hepworth created abstract works influenced by natural shapes. This bronze is based on rock forms around Porthcurno, a village near her studio in Cornwall, England. Several other casts are located at sites around the world, including the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, CA.

Hepworth was a friend of Henry Moore, whose sculpture Three Way Piece Number 1: Points is placed nearby. Rock Form (Porthcurno) was donated to the Fairmount Park Art Association (now the Association for Public Art) in 2011 by arts patron David N. Pincus, and installed in 2012.