Jacob Epstein
(1880-1959), SculptorSir Jacob Epstein
Sitter in 71 portraits
Artist of 15 portraits
The leading modernist sculptor of his day, Epstein was born in New York to Polish-Jewish parents, studying in Paris before moving to London in 1905. He quickly became known as a great sculptor, but his controversial work perhaps cost him an appointment as war artist and an RCA professorship. His nude figures for London's British Medical Association building (1908) shocked Edwardian sensibilities, yet he continued to regularly exhibit life-size bronzes and portraits at the Leicester Galleries. Works include the influential The Rock Drill (1913-14), the essence of Vorticist style, and Oscar Wilde's tomb in Père Lachaise. Knighted in 1954, he completed several large commissions and portraits in his last decade.
Explore the portrait of George Bernard Shaw by Jacob Epstein (NPG 4047) from all angles | the portrait of Lucian Freud by Jacob Epstein (NPG 5199) from all angles | the portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru by Jacob Epstein (NPG 6905) from all angles
by Augustus John
chalk, circa 1900
NPG 4119
by Jacob Epstein
bronze head, 1959, based on a work of 1912
On display in the Entrance Hall on Floor 0 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4126
Hewlett Johnson; Jacob Epstein
by Felix H. Man
bromide print, 1943
NPG P15
by Barratt's Photo Press Ltd
bromide print, 1900s
NPG x21741
by E.O. Hoppé
modern print on sepia-toned Veribrom paper, 1911
NPG x132916
by Alvin Langdon Coburn, published by Duckworth & Co
collotype, 24 January 1914
NPG Ax7856
by Alvin Langdon Coburn, published by Duckworth & Co
collotype, 24 January 1914
NPG Ax7820
by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype, 1 November 1916
NPG x6395
by Central Press
bromide print, 1917
NPG x36037
by George Charles Beresford
bromide print, 11 July 1921
NPG x27889
by George Charles Beresford
vintage print, 1924
NPG x6396
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1925
NPG x194087
Jacob Epstein with his bronze sculpture of the 'Madonna and Child'
by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1930
NPG x196120
Jacob Epstein with 'Primeval Gods'
by James Jarché, for Daily Herald
modern bromide print from original negative, 25 April 1933
NPG x88293
Jacob Epstein with 'Behold The Man'
by Central Press
bromide print, 1935
NPG x36038
Jacob Epstein with his sculpture 'Consummatum Est'
by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1937
NPG x196136
by Howard Coster
chlorobromide print, 1940
NPG x2381
Jacob Epstein with a bust of Kathleen, Lady Epstein
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, circa 1948
NPG x30416
by Geoffrey Ireland
bromide print, 1950s
NPG x21742
by Geoffrey Ireland
semi-matte bromide print on card mount, 1950s
NPG x32725
by Geoffrey Ireland
vintage gelatin silver print, 1950s
NPG x8495
Jacob Epstein sculpting Elizabeth Keen
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1951
NPG x135169
Jacob Epstein with plaster of 'Social Consciousness'
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951-1953
NPG x136748
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136752
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136753
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136754
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136755
Jacob Epstein sculpting Elizabeth Keen
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136760
Jacob Epstein sculpting Elizabeth Keen
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136761
by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, 1951
NPG x137297
by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, 1951
NPG x137298
by Unknown photographer, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd
vintage press print, 4 March 1952
NPG x136479
Jacob Epstein; Aileen Mindel ('Minda') Bronfman de Gunzburg, Baroness Gunzburg
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1952
NPG x136763
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x133283
Jacob Epstein with Bertrand Russell
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x133292
Jacob Epstein's studio (including sculptures Social Consciousnes and Ecce Homo)
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1953
NPG x134333
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x135200
Jacob Epstein; Kathleen Esther (née Garman), Lady Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, circa 1953
NPG x136749
Bertrand Russell; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1953
NPG x136750
Bertrand Russell; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1953
NPG x136751
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1953
NPG x136756
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1953
NPG x136757
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x125061
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x125062
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x125063
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x125064
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x125065
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x125070
Esther Garman; Jacob Epstein; Beth Lipkin
by P.A. Reuter Photos Ltd
bromide print, 16 February 1954
NPG x36035
Jacob Epstein with his 'Christ in Majesty'
by Geoffrey Ireland
semi-matte bromide print, circa 1955
NPG x29399
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1955
NPG x136758
by Unknown photographer, issued by Carreras Tobacco Company
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D49308
Jacob Epstein ('The Confrontation: Sculptor Jacob Epstein prepares a fresh problem for his public')
after Ernest Forbes
colour relief halftone, published in The Sketch 17 March 1937
NPG D47442
by Mark Wayner (Weiner)
lithograph, 1943 or before
NPG D23345
Related People
- Kathleen Esther (née Garman), Lady Epstein (wife)
- Margaret Gilmour Epstein (née Dunlop) (wife)
- Esther Garman (daughter)
- Theodore Garman (son)
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