The Government has denied spending £1.3million on a sculpture for the Prime Minister's garden as the current cost of living crisis Britons are facing. The abstract 1980 sculpture by celebrated British artist Henry Moore was sold at Christie's auction for just over £1.3million last month.
An expert told The Sun: “It is a fine piece and an important example of Moore’s collection of seated women sculptures. Marble Figure Sculpture
“However, it may be considered an extravagant use of public funds, particularly given the economic climate.”
Downing Street denied the purchase of the statue instead claiming it was "a charity donation" as part of a longstanding arrangement since the 1980s
The partially covered sculpture was seen being wheeled into No10 on Thursday.
It “conveys a strong sense of maternity and pregnancy”, according to Christie’s website.
It lauds “the gentle watchfulness of the woman’s face and her guarded posture to the protective nature of her arms and the architectural shelter she offers between her lap and shoulders”.
This isn't the first piece of art from Henry Moore to make its way into Number 10's garden, with works regularly rotated at the request of the late sculptor’s charitable foundation.
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The Government Art Collection owns more than 14,000 pieces in buildings at Whitehall and around the world.
It comes three months after PM Rishi Sunak spent £400,000 on a new swimming pool complex at his Grade-II listed manor house in North Yorkshire.
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