EPSTEIN'S WORK

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 44, 15 November 1937, Page 8

EPSTEIN'S WORK

Our Own Correspondent. I •

Huge Alabaster Figure in Controversy "INDEFENSIBLY CRUDE"

(From

LONDON, Oet. '23. Another controversy has been aroused by the sculptor Mr Jacob Epstein. In two and a-half tons of Derb^shire alabaster, he has carved a recumBent figure, entitled "Consummatum Est," aud representing the dead Christ ai'ter the descent from the cross. The uncouthness of the form has been interpreted by many people as indefensibly crude. It is meant to be viewed from above. Sir Charles Allom, a member of the Boafd of Education Advisory Cominitteo on Art Education, is reported to have said: " Epstein ' is- a .great artist, but he is simply throw,ing away his mighty gifts . for this filthy modern stufiV It is equalled only by some oi the work of a f ew saf ages in more or less distant t'mes, - Theso - moderns think they are original-, but, in fact, they are copying one another in reproducing tbe prototypes' of some of the helf-educated races." M'r Alfred Bossoro, , M.P., who bought Epstein 5s last great statue "Genesis," said: {It seems to me to be a very courageous piece of work. But I would say this: Strong stuif is typical of this age The age of sweet stuft' is over. Epstedn has made every sculptor to-day think twice before he gets to work." Another sculptor, Mr T. Mewburn Crook, chairman of the British Empire Hoeiety of Arts, said:- "I don't think this is representative of the best work done along the lines Mr Epstein has " choscn to foilow. I bolieVe that' artist3 can hardly hope to improve on the lruman body as God made it." Epstein said of these criticisms: "It is no gocd trying to get the right ideas mto the " hoads of - wrong-headed people." -• .