11th August 2022 by Frances

Maurice Lambert

Walking in…

Maurice Lambert Spirit of Community 1951-3, nickel bronze, Time-Life Building, 1-4 Bruton Street, W1.

This Grade II listed office and retail building, was built as the European headquarters for the American company, Time Life, ‘it was an expression of confidence in post-war Britain’. English Heritage consider it as having an ‘unusually rich integration of art and architecture.’ Architect, Michael Rosenauer, incorporated artworks into the buildings exterior and interior, commissioning works from leading artists of the day, including Lambert’s dynamic sculpture over the doorway entrance.

Lambert, British sculptor, worked in both stone and bronze, for numerous public commissions, varying from portrait busts to more abstracted sculpted figures. He was Professor of Sculpture at the Royal Academy Schools, 1950-1958. The community of artists whose works are also integral to the building include Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson and Geoffrey Clarke.

‘Spirit of Community’ can be found on the Burnt Sienna Walk, just before number 3, Henry Moore’s ‘Time-Life Screen’.