"BEHOLD THE MAN"

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21417, 8 March 1935, Page 11

"BEHOLD THE MAN"

A FIGURE OF CHRIST BY EPSTEIN ROUGH SIMPLICITY OF CARVING (Received March 7, 7 p.m.) LONDON, March 6. Epstein's annual sensation is being exhibited at the Leicester Galleries. It is 11 feet high, in marble, weighing seven tons, and represents Christ crowned with thorns. The rough simplicity of the carving recalls the Easter Island figures. There is just enough detail to suggest tortured features and roped hands. The "Manchester Guardian" . regards "Behold the Man" as the most impressive of Epstein's great figures. "The Times" expresses the opinion that the principal weakness is the attempt at special facial significance, which detracts from the impressiveness, making it sentimental. The "Daily Mail" declares that no previous work of Epstein will produce such thunder and lightning of disapproval. It will profoundly shock sincere Christians, because nothing farther from their conception of Christ is imaginable. The "News-Chronicle" says the figure expresses pain and wretchedness, without hope of resurrection or eternal life. The "Evening News" regards the face as pugnacious. Epstein himself declines to explain. "I made it. There it is for all to interpret for themselves," he said. The price is 3000 guineas.