ONE of the last great British figure modellers Ralph Brown, who shared a sculptural heritage the likes of Moore and Hepworth, has died.
Mr Brown, who was 84 and lived in Chalford, explored the human body through drawing and sculpture for more than 60 years.
Some of his most important work was made in the 1950s and 60s, although his most significant and well known sculpture was his Meat Porters, commissioned in 1959 by Harlow Art Trust as the centrepiece for the town's then new market square.
Born in Leeds, Mr Brown attended the local grammar school, spend two years in the RAF and went on to Leeds College of Art in 1948.
Trips to Paris then proved formative, including lengthy visits to the Musee Rodin. Invigorated by his experiences, Mr Brown returned to London and the Hammersmith School of Art before studying sculpture at the Royal College of Art.
He later taught, including in Bristol, where he met student Caroline Clifton-Trigg. They married in 1964.
Mr Brown shared a sculptural heritage with Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Kenneth Armitage but had much more in common with the figurative work of European sculptors.
"He was one of the last great figure modellers of repute that the country has had," said Rungwe Kingdon, whose company Pangolin Editions in Stroud cast Ralph's bronzes.
"We will miss him greatly. He was great to have around. He also knew a lot about the processes."
A lifelong socialist, Mr Brown also lived in the Mediterranean and at Far Oakridge and Amberley.
A private funeral has taken place, although a memorial service is planned next year at the Royal Academy.
Ralph is survived by his wife, their son Jasper and a daughter Sara from his first marriage. His son Matthew died in 2011.