The ‘Reclining Woman: Elbow 1981’ sculpture has been a fixture of Leeds city centre since 1982 after being loaned to the gallery by the Henry Moore Institute.
The sculpture has vacated its spot to be featured in a new exhibition at Kew Gardens in London, where it will remain until January 31 2027 before returning to Leeds.
After being removed yesterday (Wednesday), a spokesperson for the institute said: “Today we say a fond au revoir to Henry Moore’s Reclining Woman: Elbow 1981.
“The iconic sculpture by the Castleford-born artist has been on long-term loan from the Henry Moore Foundation since 1982.
The work will first travel to the Foundation for conservation, before going on display in Henry Moore: Monumental Nature @kewgardens (24 May 2026 – 31 January 2027), ahead of its return to Leeds.
“Travel safe, old friend.”
It comes just weeks after another famous sculpture of Leeds city centre - the ‘Cancara’ horse sculpture outside Lloyds Banking Group - was removed from the city altogether.
Check out our gallery below of the sculpture being removed.
7. Final figures
The 7ft 3in (2.21m) long figure is among the final large-scale reclining figures produced by Moore. | Tony Johnson
8. Personal visit
Moore came to Leeds to help experts decide where it should be placed before it founds its home in 1982. | Tony Johnson
9. Improvising
At the time, two people were asked to pose on the platform as the sculpture's head and rump because the sculpture had not yet arrived. | Tony Johnson
10. Conservation
The sculpture will first travel to the Foundation for conservation. | Tony Johnson
11. New exhibition
It will then go on display in Henry Moore: Monumental Nature at Kew Gardens between May 24 and January, 31 2027. | Tony Johnson
12. Leeds landmark
Following the exhibition, the sculpture will return to Leeds. | Tony Johnson