Why did Henry Moore create drawings of people sheltering in London Underground stations?

Henry Moore began his series of shelter drawings after witnessing Londoners seeking refuge in London Underground stations during the German air raids that commenced in September 1940.1

Several factors influenced this shift in his work:

• Material Shortages: Early in the war, a scarcity of materials forced Moore to focus primarily on drawing rather than his usual sculpture.1
• Observational Inspiration: Moore spent nights observing the people huddled in the stations, making small sketch notes on-site.1
• Artistic Intent: He subsequently developed these notes into large, colored drawings in his studio. Through these works, he aimed to capture and express in a permanent form the resigned yet indomitable spirit of the London population during the bombing of their city.1

These drawings, along with his later work depicting coal miners, were noted for their strength and dignity, marking a transition toward more humanistic subject matter in his artistic career.1