Modern British sculpture

1. Modern British sculpture Jacob Epstein Henry Moore Barbara Hepworth

2. Jacob Epstein Jacob Epstein was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. He was born in New York in 1880, and later studied with Rodin in Paris, but ultimately adopted England as his home in 1905. He was a revolutionary figure, often producing controversial works, and always challenging the conventional tastes with large bold forms. Jacob Epstein was a leading modernist sculptor. His public works caused controversy for their 'primitivist' portrayal of nudity.

3. J. Epstein, Jacob with the Angel, 1940-41 Epstein drew his inspiration from the Old Testament, where Jacob wrestles through the night with an unknown assailant, who restrains him. Here, the angel is supporting Jacob, who has just collapsed. At this moment Jacob realises he has been fighting God. In the morning the angel blesses him for not giving up. This scultpure has been seen as representing the struggles of European Jews during the Second World War. Which stylistic and technical elements convey an impression of strength and struggle ?

4. Epstein, Public sculpture • An allegorical figures for Charles Holden's British Medical Association Building in 1908. • The work caused considerable controversy and was unfortunately damaged. • Holden nonetheless employed Epstein to carve two large, prominent works for the London Transport Headquarters/St James Station building that he designed in 1926. • "Night", is based on Michaelangelo's "Pieta”.

5. Draw a comparisonbetweentheseworks.

6. Jacob Epstein, Rock drill For this sculpture, Epstein initially set a plaster figure on top of an actual pneumatic rock drill. This ‘machine-like robot, visored, menacing and carrying within itself its progeny’ became a symbol of the new age. He even considered adding a motor to make the piece move. Following the carnage of the First World War, Epstein removed the drill, cut the figure down to half-length and changed its arms; this torso was cast in bronze. The figure, which was beforehand threatening, is now mutilated and harmless, a victim of the modern, war-torn world.

7. Jacob Epstein, Female figure in Flenite, 1913 This figure follow s African rather than European sculptural conventions. Epstein admired Egyptian, Assyrian and African sculptures which he had seen in the British Museum and himself built up an important collection of African art. He was interested in ‘primitive’ art, its free sexuality and creativity. Epstein hints at fertility by carving a pregnant female form. The term ‘flenite’ refers to the flinty hardness of the stone used, actually a material called serpentine.

8. Portrait of Jacob Kramer, 1921 Jacob Kramer (1892-1962) was a painter. Epstein asked Kramer to model for him, and offered to sit for Kramer in return. How is Kramer’s nervousness translated in bronze ?

9. Jacob Epstein, Portrait of Sunita Hollowedeyeswith a piercing gaze. A plait An irregular skin thatreflects the light unevenly A square face evokingstrong-mindedeness The roughness of the surface gives an impression of strength and brutality.

10. Jacob Epstein, Portrait of Elsa Lanchaster, 1924 Rodin, Buste de Rochefort, 1884