“Please do not touch!”

4 words that sum up the rules of an art gallery.  Look and enjoy but never, never touch.

I understand – art from the Renaissance and Baroque eras do not do well with the human touch.  If we want following generations to enjoy works of art dating from the 1^st century to present day keep your hands off!

But sometimes the urge to touch is incredible……

On Friday I visited the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) to see the Frida and Diego Exhibition.  Amazing, you could feel the passion in their work.

But as usual it is the Henry Moore collection of sculptures that always has the greatest draw for me.  Housed in a large room painted a very deep shade of grey, with minimal illumination are the bronze casts of Henry Moore.  The room is very sensual and the sculptures are very tangible.  Some appear very smooth, others very rough.  I have the greatest desire to touch them, to feel them.   But I don’t!

Instead I just truly enjoy looking at them.  Experiencing them.

Henry Moore Reclining Figure

Henry Moore Woman and Oval With Points

Henry Moore Draped Reclining Woman

Henry Moore Working Model for UNESCO Reclining Figure

Henry Moore Working Model for Three way Piece

All images via Modmissy