Anthony Caro

Anthony Caro (1924-2013) was a British sculptor known for his abstract, often large-scale, steel constructions. He is considered one of the most influential modernist sculptors of the 20th century. Caro began his career as an assistant to Henry Moore and was initially influenced by Moore's semi-abstract, organic forms. However, Caro's work took a radical turn in the 1960s when he began creating sculptures from prefabricated steel elements, which he welded together and often painted in bright colors. These works, which were displayed directly on the ground without plinths, broke with traditional sculptural conventions and were seen as revolutionary at the time. 

Caro's work was often characterized by its open, skeletal structure, and its engagement with the space around it. He was interested in the way his sculptures could create a dialogue with their environment and the viewer, and he often worked on a monumental scale to enhance this interaction. Some of his most famous works include Early One Morning, Midday, and The Last Judgement, the latter being a large-scale installation comprising over 100 individual pieces.

Throughout his career, Caro also worked on smaller, more intimate pieces and explored a variety of materials including bronze, silver, and wood. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Praemium Imperiale for Sculpture in 1992 and a knighthood in 1987. Caro's work has been exhibited widely, with major retrospectives at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Gallery in London. His influence can be seen in the work of subsequent generations of sculptors, and his contributions to the field of sculpture and installation art are widely recognized.