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The southern Scottish landscape of Dumfries and Galloway once featured a remarkable collection of outdoor sculptures, including notable works by Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, and Jacob Epstein. These pieces formed the Glenkiln Sculpture Park, an innovative display established by local landowner Sir William Keswick between 1951 and 1976. The park was designed to showcase modern art within a natural, outdoor environment, offering visitors a unique experience as they walked among the sculptures set against the backdrop of moorland and rolling hills.
Among the most distinguished sculptures in the park was Henry Moore’s “King and Queen.” Drawing inspiration from an Egyptian sculpture housed in the British Museum, as well as stories Moore read to his daughter about royalty, this semi-abstract bronze piece became one of his most celebrated works. Moore himself considered the sculpture to be influenced by his personal connection to these stories, and critics hailed it as “Moore’s finest achievement since the war, and probably the most graceful of all his works.” The sculpture stood nearly seven feet tall and was fondly described as “timeless guardians of the landscape,” captivating visitors with its presence overlooking Glenkiln Reservoir.
Despite its acclaim, the sculpture park faced challenges over the years. In 1995, “King and Queen” was vandalized when the heads were removed—a dramatic act that shocked the community and art world alike. Fortunately, the original heads were recovered and painstakingly restored under the supervision of The Henry Moore Foundation. Nevertheless, continuous security concerns led to the removal of the sculptures from public display. The remaining works were placed into secure storage, marking the end of one of the region’s most distinctive open-air art attractions.
Recently, “King and Queen” was put up for auction with an expected value as high as £15 million. To the surprise of many, the sculpture sold for £26 million to an undisclosed buyer, a remarkable price given its turbulent history. This particular cast is one of four editions worldwide, with the others located in Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. Additional casts are held by the Tate Collection and The Henry Moore Foundation. Though the Glenkiln Sculpture Park itself no longer exists, its legacy endures, with the area’s reservoir loop still popular among cyclists, albeit now missing the dramatic accompaniment of these world-renowned sculptures
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