Michael Balcon
7 of 15 portraits by Jacob Epstein
Photograph © National Portrait Gallery, London
Michael Balcon
by Jacob Epstein
bronze bust, 1933
16 1/8 in. x 13 in. (410 mm x 330 mm) overall
Purchased, 1989
Primary Collection
NPG 6060
Artistback to top
- Sir Jacob Epstein (1880-1959), Sculptor. Artist or producer of 15 portraits, Sitter in 71 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This bust of the film producer Michael Balcon was commissioned by Alfred Hitchcock to salve his guilt over an advantageous deal. Hitchcock paid £250 for the rights to a script that Balcon was also interested in and sold them on to Balcon for £500. Hitchcock later recalled, 'I was so ashamed of the hundred per cent profit that I had Jacob Epstein do a bust of Balcon with the money'. Epstein went on to make busts of Hitchcock's daughter Pat and Balcon's daughter Jill.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 30
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Jacob Epstein: Portrait Sculptor (30 March 2013 - 24 November 2013)
Events of 1933back to top
Current affairs
Sir Norman Angell is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Angell was recognised for his book, Europe's Optical Illusion (or The Great Illusion) first published in 1910 and updated in 1933, which argued that war between modern powers was futile as neither the looser or victor would gain economically from it.Art and science
British Art embraces abstraction with the establishment of 'Unit 1', the first group of British Artists dedicated to producing abstract art. The critic Herbert Read formed the group by bringing together the artists Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Paul Nash and the architect, Wells Coates.The Duveen Wing extension at the National Portrait Gallery is opened by King George V.
International
The Nazi party comes to power in Germany as part of a coalition government with Hitler as Chancellor. Over the next year, the party consolidated its position through the Enabling Act (allowing them to pass legislation without the support of the coalition), by banning and purging opposition, and by making Hitler Führer in 1934: granting him the combined powers of Chancellor and President.Comments back to top
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