Beschreibung:

Sir Jacob Epstein (British, 1880 - 1959) MALVINIA, circa 1944 Patinated bronze, signed 51cm high overall including wood plinth On view at: The Sculpture Park Sir Jacob Epstein KBE 10 November 1880 - 19 August 1959 was one of the leading sculptors of the 20th century, often considered a pioneer of modern sculpture. Born to Polish Jewish immigrant parents in New York, he moved to Europe in 1902. First he studied in Paris, but then, allegedly after a trip to the British Museum, he decided to settle in Britain, becoming a British citizen in 1911. He often produced controversial works which challenged taboos and what was considered appropriate subject matter. One critic dubbed him a sculptor in revolt. Though he created several large works of a more architectural nature, he is probably best known for his roughly textured and expressively modelled portrait sculptures in bronze. Epstein was drawn to portrait sitters often for their diverse physiognomy and unconventional beauty, sensitively yet unceremoniously rendering his central subject of the human form through acute observation. The portrait bust of Polish model Pola Givenchy sold through these rooms just recently as part of the Oakley House auction was a good example of this, as is Malvinia, which depicts a sitter of African descent. After Epsteins death in 1959, Henry Moore paid tribute to Epstein, acknowledging that although he was the subject of much derision during his lifetime, his innovative works paved the way for others who would continue to push the boundaries of British sculpture. His works are held in world renowned museum collections including the National Portrait Gallery, Tate, MoMa, and even the Vatican Museums. Malvinia is noted in Evelyn Silber, The Sculpture of Epstein, with a complete catalogue, Oxford, 1986, no 359