T.S. Eliot

1 portrait

Photograph © National Portrait Gallery, London

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T.S. Eliot

by Jacob Epstein
plaster cast of bust, 1951
19 in. (483 mm) high
Given by Trustees of the Epstein estate, 1965
Primary Collection
NPG 4440

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), Sculptor. Artist or producer of 15 portraits, Sitter in 71 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Epstein and T.S.Eliot were introduced by Ashley Dukes, a mutual friend, who commissioned this bust. Eliot's 'grave courtesy' at the sittings and interest in sculpture impressed Epstein. This bust is a plaster cast, made from a mould of the original clay bust. Epstein often made a number of these plaster busts before casting the final bronze.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Gibson, Robin; Clerk, Honor, 20th Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, 1993, p. 18 Read entry

    Although Eliot's eclecticism has laid him open to charges of obscurity, he remains arguably the greatest modern poet of the English language. The anti-romanticism and intellectual toughness of The Wasteland (1922) deposed the poetry of Eliot's Georgian contemporaries and became the dominant literary influence on young writers of the time. Eliot's later poems such as Ash Wednesday (1930) and The Four Quartets (1944) and his verse play Murder in the Cathedral (1935) reflect the Christian belief that played an increasingly important role in his life and work.

    The portrait by Epstein was commissioned by the playwright Ashley Dukes, a friend of both the sculptor and Eliot. The portrait was cast in bronze in an edition of six, four of which are now in collections in the United States.

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 199

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1951back to top

Current affairs

The Conservative Party wins the general election and Winston Churchill returns for a second term as prime minister.

Art and science

On the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Festival of Britain is held as a nationwide celebration of British culture, and as an impetus for post-war regeneration. As well as various art, science and industrial exhibitions and events, a major regeneration project was initiated for the South Bank area of London under the directorship of the architect, Hugh Casson.

International

Libya declares its sovereignty from Italian rule, becoming the first independent state to be created by the UN.
At the Treaty of San Francisco, 48 nations sign a peace treaty with Japan, officially ending the Pacific War - the last battleground of the Second World War.

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