Barbara Hepworth: Everything you need to know about the Wakefield-born sculptor at the heart of today's Google Doodle

Wakefield born sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth is the feature of today's Google Doodle - but why is she famous, and what makes her work so significant?
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The cartoon depicts Hepworth at work in her studio, and will be seen by millions of users. But who was Barbara Hepworth, and why was her work so significant?

This is everything you need to know about Dame Barbara Hepworth.

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Hepworth is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, and was one of the leading practitioners of the avant-garde method of Direct Carving, which saw artists work directly on the chosen material, instead of making preparatory models which would be transferred to their final model.

She worked around the world before settling in St Ives, Cornwall, in 1939 where she would live until her death.

Throughout her career, she produced hundreds of sculptures, influenced by her upbringing in the rural and industrial landscapes of West Yorkshire.

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Her work was considered part of the abstract movement, and featured many natural forms and textures.

Wakefield born sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth would today have celebrated her 117th birthday - and the occasion has been marked with a Google Doodle.Wakefield born sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth would today have celebrated her 117th birthday - and the occasion has been marked with a Google Doodle.
Wakefield born sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth would today have celebrated her 117th birthday - and the occasion has been marked with a Google Doodle.

Born in Wakefield in 1903, Barbara Hepworth attended Wakefield Girls' High School. In 1920, she won a scholarship to Leeds School of Art, where she met fellow sculptor Henry Moore, who was born in nearby Castleford.

Following a period of study at the Royal College of Art in London, she travelled to Italy, where she worked alongside fellow sculptor John Skeaping. The pair married in 1925, and welcomed a son, Paul, in 1929.

In 1934, Hepworth welcomed triplets with artist Ben Nicholson, whom she would later marry. She said that she was "nourished by this rich life" of raising her children while continuing her work, and tried to find time for her work each day.

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Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Hepworth and her family relocated to St Ives, Cornwall, along with many other artists. Later, she would move to Trewyn Studios in the town.

British sculptor Barbara Hepworth (1903 - 1975) with her work 'Mother and Child'. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)British sculptor Barbara Hepworth (1903 - 1975) with her work 'Mother and Child'. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
British sculptor Barbara Hepworth (1903 - 1975) with her work 'Mother and Child'. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

During her time in St Ives, Hepworth worked alongside a number of other sculptors, and co-founded the Penwith Society of Arts.

Her work continued to be displayed around the world, including London, New York, Venice and many more.

In 1965, she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire.

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But tragedy struck on 20 May, 1975, when Hepworth died in an accidental fire at Trewyn Studio, at the age of 72.

The Hepworth Wakefield opened in her hometown in 2011, and displays her work.The Hepworth Wakefield opened in her hometown in 2011, and displays her work.
The Hepworth Wakefield opened in her hometown in 2011, and displays her work.

Despite this, her legacy lives on - a museum in her name opened in her hometown of Wakefield in 2011, and more than 600 of her sculptures remain on display around the world, including at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

In May of this year, her studio on St Ives, which is now an outpost of the Tate Gallery, was granted protected status.