Ralph Vaughan Williams

1 portrait

Photograph © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Ralph Vaughan Williams

by Jacob Epstein
bronze bust, 1950
16 in. (406 mm) high
Purchased, 1970
Primary Collection
NPG 4762

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

The composer Vaughan Williams was in his seventies when he began sitting for this portrait. Epstein described the sitter's commanding presence, saying, 'He reminded me in appearance of some eighteenth-century admiral whose word was law. Notwithstanding, I found him the epitome of courtesy and consideration and I was impressed by the logic and acuteness of everything he discoursed upon'. Epstein returned to the rougher modelling style of his early career for this bust. The rugged textures and slight tilt to the head animates the bust, giving it a sense of movement that helps to convey Vaughan Williams's lively intelligence.

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Events of 1950back to top

Current affairs

Princess Anne is born at Clarence house, the only daughter of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Art and science

C.S. Lewis publishes The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. Lewis was an Oxford Don, specialising in Medieval Literature and its use of allegory. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is often seen as an allegory of the Christian struggle between good and evil.

International

Following the Soviet and American withdrawal from the occupation of North and South Korea respectively, the Korean War breaks out as each side seeks to unify Korea under its own political system. While the U.S.A., U.K and other UN nations came to the defence of South Korea, North Korea had support from the Soviet Union and China. The war continued until 1953.

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