A PRESTIGIOUS art event will take place at Hatfield House next month when the ‘Moore at Hatfield’ event takes place.

The six month long feature begins on the official visitor opening day on Saturday, April 23 through to September 30.

The event will be showcasing England’s most prominent 20th century minimalist sculptor – Henry Moore.

It will coincide with the 400th anniversary of the historic home and will see the picturesque grounds filled with 15 of Moore’s imposing abstract sculptures.

The 17th century grounds themselves, stretching from the park to the hedged gardens, will showcase the sculptures on the backdrop of the house.

The pastoral setting contrasted with the clean cut signature work of Moore remains true to the sculptor’s wish that “I would rather have a piece of my sculpture put in a landscape, almost any landscape, than in or on the most beautiful building in the world”.

Lord Salisbury, whose family have lived at Hatfield continuously for over 400 years, said: “We are proud to have The Henry Moore Foundation as neighbours in Hertfordshire and excited that they have agreed to help us celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the completion of Hatfield House.

“The sculptures will look magnificent in the garden and woodland setting and we hope our visitors will enjoy them as much as all of us at Hatfield will.”

Anita Feldman, head of collections and exhibitions at The Henry Moore Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be working on an exhibition of Moore’s outdoor sculpture for Hatfield House’s 2011 Visitor Season.”