Sitting Couple

After producing a smaller “sitting couple” in 1971, Chadwick returned to the theme around fifty times over the following two decades. Chadwick’s couples are always clearly gendered, with the female subject generally being represented by a bust and a triangular figure, and the male subject by a creased tunic and a rectangular head. A keen observer of body language, Chadwick studied human relations through the various ways in which his couples are seated. In this particular interpretation, the figures are adopting an almost identical posture, creating a sense of deep intimacy despite their physical separation. Chadwick’s pieces show tremendous attention to detail and reflect the artist’s experience of working with the architect Roger Thomas, who encouraged him to take up sculpture.

Born in London in 1914, Lynn Chadwick is seen as one of the leading lights in the history of modern British sculpture. From 1933 to 1939, he worked as a draughtsman at a firm of architects. He then served as a pilot in the RAF during World War Two (1941-1944), before devoting himself to sculpture.
He held his first solo exhibition in 1950, and his first creations resembled large mobiles. His style then evolved towards the use of welded metal to create frameworks or “skeletons” forming the basis for figures. He quickly made a name for himself and continued to develop his art, refining his technique and exploring new forms. He represented Great Britain at the 28th Venice Biennale in 1956, where he became the youngest ever winner of the International Prize for Sculpture at the time. His works have been exhibited at some of the world’s greatest galleries and institutions, including the Tate Gallery in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Lynn Chadwick died on 25 April 2003.