LEON UNDERWOOD (BRITISH, 1890-1975)
Reclining African Figure
signed and dated 'Leon U/46' (lower left)
oil on canvas
31 x 35.5 cm. (12 1/4 x 14 in.)

Provenance
John Fiorini, 1996, from whom purchased by the present owner

The Fiorini Foundry, an Arts Heritage Ltd. company, was established in 1909 by Giovanni Fiorini and stands as the oldest and one of the most esteemed bronze casting foundries in the country. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, the foundry has collaborated with prolific artists such as Henry Moore, Leon Underwood, Jacob Epstein, and Elizabeth Frink.

With a rich history of casting intricate bronze sculptures and fine objects, the Fiorini Foundry specializes in the lost-wax casting method, a technique that captures the finest details. The family-run business was passed down to John Fiorini, who, as a young man, is known to have assisted Leon Underwood in casting his own sculptures (Ben Whitworth, The Sculpture of Leon Underwood, 2000, p.82).