Jacob Epstein
(1880-1959), SculptorSir Jacob Epstein
Sitter in 71 portraits
Artist of 14 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
Watch a film clip on the artist from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
by Jacob Epstein
bronze head, 1959, based on a work of 1912
NPG 4126
by Powys Evans
pen and ink, published 1925
NPG 4397
Hewlett Johnson; Jacob Epstein
by Felix H. Man
bromide print, 1943
NPG P15
by Barratt's Photo Press Ltd
bromide print, 1900s
NPG x21741
by 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 Ax7856
by Alvin Langdon Coburn, published by Duckworth & Co
collotype, 24 January 1914
NPG Ax7820
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
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1925
NPG x194087
Jacob Epstein with his bronze sculpture of the 'Madonna and Child'
by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1930
NPG x196120
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
Jacob Epstein with his sculpture 'Consummatum Est'
by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1937
NPG x196136
by Howard Coster
chlorobromide print, 1940
NPG x2381
Related People
- Kathleen Esther (née Garman), Lady Epstein (wife)
- Margaret Gilmour Epstein (née Dunlop) (wife)
- Esther Garman (daughter)
- Theodore Garman (son)
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Watch
Our channel
View a wide collection of video content on our YouTube channel from past projects to our latest films.
Artist and sitter interviews
Get insights into creating portraiture from BP Portrait Award 2020 artists and their sitters.
Sleeping Awake
Watch our film created to say ‘goodbye’ to the Gallery before we closed for our major transformation project.