Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), Sculptor
Sir Jacob Epstein
Sitter associated with 66 portraits
Artist of 14 portraits
The leading modernist sculptor of his day, Epstein was born in New York to Polish-Jewish parents and studied in Paris before moving to London in 1905. He quickly gained a reputation as a brilliant sculptor, creating monuments, portraits and controversial depictions of nudity. His bold work courted controversy and may have cost him an appointment as war artist and a professorship at the Royal College of Art. In spite of criticism, he regularly and successfully exhibited life-size bronzes and portraits at the Leicester Galleries. He received public recognition late in life, being knighted in 1954, and completed large commissions and numerous portraits in his last decade.
by Sir Jacob Epstein
bronze head, 1912
On display in Room 33 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4126
Hewlett Johnson; Jacob Epstein
by Felix H. Man (Hans Baumann)
bromide print, 1943
On display in Room 33 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG P15
by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1955
On display in Room 33 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG P490(28)
by Barratt's Photo Press Ltd.
bromide print, 1900s
NPG x21741
by Emil Otto ('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 Ax7820
by Paul Ferdinand Anton Laib
bromide print
NPG x16194
by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype, 1 November 1916
NPG x6395
by George Charles Beresford
bromide print, 11 July 1921
NPG x27889
by George Charles Beresford
vintage print, 1924
NPG x6396
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
by Howard Coster
chlorobromide print, 1940
NPG x2381
Jacob Epstein with a bust of Kathleen, Lady Epstein
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, circa 1948
On display in Room 33 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x30416
by Geoffrey Ireland
semi-matte bromide print on card mount, 1950s
NPG x32725
by Geoffrey Ireland
vintage gelatin silver print, 1950s
NPG x8495
Freud
Related People
Esther Epstein (daughter)
Kathleen Esther (née Garman), Lady Epstein (wife)
Links
Hull University Art Collection, East Yorkshire
Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, North Yorkshire
New Art Gallery, Walsall, West Midlands
Category
Art
Groups
Artists and artisans
Camden Town Group
Euston Road School
Jewish sitters and artists
Vorticists
Places
United States
Yorkshire
Exhibitions and displays
- Jacob Epstein: Portrait Sculptor
Until 24 November






















