Gimpel Fils, London
Leonard & Virginia C. Field, New York (acquired from the above by March 1967)
Bequest of Virginia C. Field in 2003

London, Gimpel Fils, Barbara Hepworth, 1966, no. 32

Alan Bowness, The Complete Sculpture of Barbara Hepworth, 1960-69, London, 1971, no. 409

The marble sculpture is in very good condition. The three polished marble squares and base display a uniform polish. Tiny nicks along the edges of all three squares were found in the following locations: two small nicks were found on the top square on the PL top front corner; several on the PR top front corner on the bottom front square; two on the front PL edge near the bottom corner on the rear square; and on the PR top edge and front corner on the base. The squares are securely attached to the marble base. No scratches were observed on the marble. The artist’s initials and date are inscribed into the marble on the PR back top corner of the base. The sculpture is clean and structurally sound. The above condition report has been prepared by Wilson Conservation, Inc., independant contractors who are not Sotheby's employees.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1966 Hepworth learned she was ill with cancer, yet this year marks one of the most intensely productive periods of her career. When asked about her resulting surge of creative output, much of which was envisioned for ultimate production in monumental scale, Hepworth replied: "It was the same in 1938. If war is imminent, or you're very ill or something's threatening, you want to put something down for a big work while you can. I was in a [sic] absolute fever of ideas, without much hope of fulfillment. It's never easy for a sculptor to have enough money, enough space and enough material to do quickly what he wants to do. Maybe you have to wait. I could only make small works, but I wrote in my records, projects for monuments" (Bowness, op. cit., p. 12).

This unique marble is one of a series of sculptures that Hepworth executed in 1966 and exhibited at Gimpel Fils in London later that year. A profoundly successful example, this model was indeed reiterated in a pair of slate versions and second, slightly larger marble sculpture entitled Three squares and circles I and Three squares and circles II, respectively.