Few people consider doctors to be an imitation of God. Not sure about God, but doctors certainly hold a special place of trust and respect in people’s hearts. And sometimes, the relationship between a doctor and a patient extends far beyond the consulting room. Something similar happened between British sculptor Barbara Hepworth and her doctor, Roger Slack. Their friendship eventually became so meaningful that Hepworth gifted him a miniature sculpture of one of her most celebrated works. Nearly six decades later, that very sculpture has resurfaced and could fetch as much as £80,000 at an auction in Cornwall.The 13-inch (33 cm) aluminium-and-string sculpture is a miniature version of Hepworth’s famous Winged Figure, which stands on the exterior of the John Lewis department store on Oxford Street, London. The artwork, signed and dated 1967 and numbered 5/9, was gifted to Dr Slack as a personal token of appreciation. According to the original auction listing published by Lay’s Auctioneers, the sculpture will be offered as part of its Cornish Art sale on November 26 and 27, 2026.
A friendship that went beyond the doctor’s clinic
Barbara Hepworth letter to her doctor, Roger (Image courtesy of Lays Auctioneers official website)
When Roger Slack arrived in St Ives in 1947 as a general practitioner, he soon found himself treating some of Britain’s most celebrated artists, including Barbara Hepworth, Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron and Terry Frost. But his relationship with them was not limited to medical appointments. Irish painter Tony O’Malley, for instance, reportedly had his life saved several times by Slack, and the two eventually became close friends.Slack was equally fascinated by the artistic life of the town. In the 1950s, he began photographing St Ives and recording the memories of elderly residents who had known painter Alfred Wallis, a self-taught artist. Hepworth took a particular interest in his work and encouraged him to write a book about Wallis. She also shared some of her marble with Slack, who had an interest in sculpture himself.Over the years, the friendship between the Slacks and Hepworth grew beyond the doctor-patient relationship. As a gesture of their friendship and mutual appreciation, Hepworth gifted Roger the miniature Winged Figure, making it a personal reminder of the bond they had developed over years of shared interests and affection.
The art behind the famous Winged Figure
Barbara Hepworth sculpture winged figure 1963 on the John Lewis building in London
To understand why this small sculpture is attracting such attention, it helps to look at the artwork that inspired it.In 1961, Hepworth received a commission from the John Lewis Partnership to create a sculpture for its flagship department store on Oxford Street. She was selected for the project over six other sculptors. Her final design was an enlargement of an earlier work from 1957, also titled Winged Figure.The monumental sculpture was completed in 1963 and stands nearly six metres tall on the exterior of the department store. Made from aluminium with metal rods, its form consists of two sweeping, wing-like structures connected by slender lines. The openings and curves create an interesting play of light and shadow, making the sculpture appear different as the light changes throughout the day.Hepworth wanted the work to communicate a feeling of freedom and movement. In 1963, she explained that she wanted to evoke the universal dream of moving through air and water without the resistance of human legs. The sculpture was her attempt to translate that sensation into a physical form. The work has since become a familiar landmark on Oxford Street. It was also granted Grade II listed status in 2016, recognising its architectural and historic significance.
Why is a 13-inch sculpture worth £80,000?
Winged Figure 5/9 Signed and dated ’67 String and Aluminium in Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery auction (courtesy of Lays Auctioneers official website)
The price is not simply about its size or the materials used to make it. Several factors contribute to its estimated value as well. First, it is the work of Barbara Hepworth, one of Britain’s most influential modern sculptors, whose works are held in major museums and collections around the world. Her sculptures are particularly recognised for exploring the relationship between form, space, light and natural surroundings.Secondly, the miniature has a direct connection to Winged Figure, one of her most recognisable public commissions. It offers collectors an opportunity to own a smaller version of an artistic idea that became a major London landmark.Its rarity also matters. The sculpture belongs to an edition of just nine, making it a relatively uncommon work. More importantly, its provenance, or documented ownership history, adds another layer of significance. This particular sculpture was gifted by Hepworth herself to Dr Slack, making its connection to the artist personal as well as artistic.The accompanying history of the gift makes the artwork especially interesting to collectors. It connects Hepworth’s artistic career with the community of St Ives, where she spent much of her life and developed friendships with fellow artists and local residents. As it returns to the auction market, the miniature Winged Figure brings together two stories: the artistic vision behind one of Britain’s best-known modern sculptures and the personal friendship that led its creator to give a piece of that work away.