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Jacob Epstein

(1880-1959), Sculptor

Sir 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

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Jacob Epstein, by Jacob Epstein - NPG 4126

Jacob Epstein

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

Jacob Epstein, by Powys Evans - NPG 4397

Jacob Epstein

by Powys Evans
pen and ink, published 1925
NPG 4397

Hewlett Johnson; Jacob Epstein, by Felix H. Man - NPG P15

Hewlett Johnson; Jacob Epstein

by Felix H. Man
bromide print, 1943
NPG P15

Jacob Epstein, by Irving Penn - NPG P1398

Jacob Epstein

by Irving Penn
gelatin silver print, 1950
NPG P1398

Jacob Epstein, by Yousuf Karsh - NPG P490(28)

Jacob Epstein

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1955
NPG P490(28)

Jacob Epstein, by Barratt's Photo Press Ltd - NPG x21741

Jacob Epstein

by Barratt's Photo Press Ltd
bromide print, 1900s
NPG x21741

Jacob Epstein, by E.O. Hoppé - NPG x132916

Jacob Epstein

by E.O. Hoppé
modern print on sepia-toned Veribrom paper, 1911
NPG x132916

Jacob Epstein, by Alvin Langdon Coburn, published by  Duckworth & Co - NPG Ax7856

Jacob Epstein

by Alvin Langdon Coburn, published by Duckworth & Co
collotype, 24 January 1914
NPG Ax7856

Jacob Epstein, by Alvin Langdon Coburn, published by  Duckworth & Co - NPG Ax7820

Jacob Epstein

by Alvin Langdon Coburn, published by Duckworth & Co
collotype, 24 January 1914
NPG Ax7820

Jacob Epstein, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x6395

Jacob Epstein

by George Charles Beresford
sepia-toned platinotype, 1 November 1916
NPG x6395

Jacob Epstein, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x27889

Jacob Epstein

by George Charles Beresford
bromide print, 11 July 1921
NPG x27889

Jacob Epstein, by George Charles Beresford - NPG x6396

Jacob Epstein

by George Charles Beresford
vintage print, 1924
NPG x6396

Jacob Epstein, by Unknown photographer - NPG x194087

Jacob Epstein

by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1925
NPG x194087

Jacob Epstein with 'Primeval Gods', by James Jarché, for  Daily Herald - NPG x88293

Jacob Epstein with 'Primeval Gods'

by James Jarché, for Daily Herald
modern bromide print from original negative, 25 April 1933
NPG x88293

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