Oval Form (Trezion), a 1962–63 bronze piece by Dame Barbara Hepworth, will return to Abbot Hall art gallery in Kendal on March 7 after a tour.
The sculpture was removed in 2021 to feature in the touring exhibition Barbara Hepworth: Art and Life.
Niall Hodson, keeper of collections at Lakeland Arts, said: “Barbara Hepworth’s Oval Form is an emblem of both Abbot Hall and Kendal: a beautiful, significant work of sculpture that has adorned the gallery, and the town, for 60 years.
“The sculpture was acquired by Abbot Hall’s first director, Helen Kapp, who purchased it directly from Barbara Hepworth at her studio in St Ives.
“It gives you a sense of the ambition that Kapp, and the early supporters of the Gallery, had for Abbot Hall from its foundation in 1962.”
The touring exhibition took the sculpture to venues including the Hepworth Wakefield and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
During the tour, the piece was conserved and cleaned, ensuring it could be safely displayed again in Kendal.
Its return has been made possible by the support of the Henry Moore Foundation.
Amie Fletcher, development manager at Lakeland Arts, said: “We are delighted to have secured the support of the Henry Moore Foundation to bring Oval Form (Trezion) back to Abbot Hall.
“Its return is not only about reinstating a beloved work of art; it is about reconnecting with our community and offering everyone the chance to experience one of the most important artists of our time once more.
“This moment marks a meaningful step in strengthening the bond between Lakeland Arts and the people of Kendal, allowing us to celebrate our shared cultural heritage together.”
Oval Form (Trezion) had stood outside Abbot Hall since 1966 and is a key part of the gallery’s collection of works by artists associated with the St Ives School.
The collection also includes Hepworth’s Torso and Moon Form, as well as Ben Nicholson’s portrait of the artist.
The sculpture’s return will be marked with a public unveiling and talk at Abbot Hall on 7 March.
The talk, led by Dr Abi Shapiro, Curator at The Hepworth Wakefield, will use Oval Form (Trezion) to explore Hepworth’s innovative approach to form, material and abstraction.
The return is part of Lakeland Arts’ broader plans to reimagine Abbot Hall, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund.