Anthony Caro: Drawing in Space

Anthony Caro's linear sculptures are defined as 'drawings in space'. Here for the first time Mary Reid addresses these pieces as a coherent body, united by their character of weightlessness. In the 1960s, Caro staged a dramatic break from his figurative sculptures with his seminal work "Early One Morning" (1962). Painted and designed to appear independent of pedestal or plinth, this piece and the following related works were revolutionary. In the 1970s, he abandoned colour to allow the metal to make its own statement, resulting in Emma Dipper (1977). This preoccupation with linearity continued throughout Caro's career in the Barcelona series and in the wide range of table sculptures he executed. Mary Reid's insightful text introduces the reader to the concept of linear sculpture, and the plates serve to highlight this important aspect of the sculptor's career. Caro's use of colour and his shifting attitude to various materials are also discussed to enhance the reader's appreciation of this stylistic form. Used as an introductory book or as a resource for new interpretations of Caro's work, this is an important and revelatory publication.