Jacob Epstein
(1880-1959), SculptorSir 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
Jacob Epstein with a bust of Kathleen, Lady Epstein
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, circa 1948
NPG x30416
by Geoffrey Ireland
bromide print, 1950s
NPG x21742
by Geoffrey Ireland
semi-matte bromide print on card mount, 1950s
NPG x32725
by Geoffrey Ireland
vintage gelatin silver print, 1950s
NPG x8495
Jacob Epstein sculpting Elizabeth Keen
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1951
NPG x135169
Jacob Epstein with plaster of 'Social Consciousness'
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951-1953
NPG x136748
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136752
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136753
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136754
Somerset Maugham; Jacob Epstein
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136755
Jacob Epstein sculpting Elizabeth Keen
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136760
Jacob Epstein sculpting Elizabeth Keen
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1951
NPG x136761
by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, 1951
NPG x137297
by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, 1951
NPG x137298
by Unknown photographer, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd
vintage press print, 4 March 1952
NPG x136479
Jacob Epstein; Aileen Mindel ('Minda') Bronfman de Gunzburg, Baroness Gunzburg
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1952
NPG x136763
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x133283
Jacob Epstein with Bertrand Russell
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1953
NPG x133292
Related People
- Kathleen Esther (née Garman), Lady Epstein (wife)
- Margaret Gilmour Epstein (née Dunlop) (wife)
- Esther Garman (daughter)
- Theodore Garman (son)
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