A Rediscovered Hepworth Masterpiece At Bryanston School To Be Auctioned To Fund Vital Arts Bursaries

A remarkable sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth has been rediscovered at Bryanston School. Its sale at auction on 17th April 2025 will create a unique opportunity to raise substantial funds for the Bryanston Art Bursary Fund.

The polished bronze sculpture Single Form (1962) is a significant artwork by Dame Barbara Hepworth. It was generously donated to Bryanston in 1975 following a bequest by a former governor, to inspire future generations of creative arts students. Over the decades, the Single Form sculpture resided in the heads’ office. It was recently formally recognised as a significant Hepworth masterpiece by Bryanston’s newly appointed archivist, Laura Sweetenham, during an update of the school’s artefact register.

As a school globally celebrated for its contributions to the creative arts, Bryanston counts among its alumni the legendary design figure Terence Conran and his family, artists Lucian Freud, Howard Hodgkin as well as Cornwall-based contemporary artist Nina Brooke. In keeping with this artistic legacy, the proceeds from the auction of the Single Form will help provide talented young artists with access to a Bryanston education.

The auction, to be held by Dukes Auctioneers in April 2025, will mark an exciting moment in the art world and educational philanthropy. The sculpture itself is of significant artistic and historical value. It was originally inspired by Hepworth’s 1937 carving in lignum vitae of the same name, which remains part of the Hepworth Estate and is currently displayed at the Courtauld Gallery in London. The rediscovery has been met with great enthusiasm by the Estate as it bridges a 50-year gap in the artwork’s history. It was originally donated by Hepworth to a Save the Children charity auction in 1963, where the former governor bid for it and subsequently bequeathed it to Bryanston School. Until recently, the Hepworth Estate had no trace of the sculpture since the governor’s death in 1975.

Bryanston’s Head Richard Jones said, ‘We are thrilled to have a chance to make a substantial difference to our Bryanston Art Bursary Fund. The rediscovery of this statue means we have the exciting prospect of providing opportunities for talented students who might not otherwise be able to benefit from a Bryanston education. Auctioning this historical artwork, embodies our ethos and longstanding motto ‘et nova et vetera’, the new and the old, honouring the original intention behind the donation which was to inspire young people.’

Guy Schwinge of the Art Advisers, Hanover Forbes, commented, ‘This is a remarkable work by the most important female sculptor of the 20th century. It is certain to appeal to collectors globally when it is offered at auction by Duke’s of Dorchester next year.’

Dame Barbara Hepworth herself once said, ‘I believe in the profound influence of sculpture on the human spirit.’ This story, blending the history of art and education, is a testament to her enduring vision. The sculpture’s auction is expected to generate significant interest both for its artistic value and the heartwarming tale of its rediscovery.