Penniless But Returns Famous Jacob Epstein’s Triumph

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 194, 5 November 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

Penniless But Returns Famous Jacob Epstein’s Triumph

Left Home

aACOB EPSTEIN, the famous sculptor, has sailed, on the Bereugaria, back to America, the land of his birth. He will be accompanied by his Scottish wife and Peggy Jean, his flaxen-haired daughter. It will be his first visit to America since he won renown abroad, and late in October an ex-

hibition of his sculptures in a Fifth Avenue gallery will be the art event of the New York season. In 1902 he left New York, a penniless young man, to study art in Paris. After 25 years he returns to his countrymen certainly the most talked of sculptor

in the world. For 15 years he has made his home in London and live examples of his work are in the Tate Gallery. Epstein has always provoked controversy. His “Rima” in Hyde Park was violently attacked by pen—and even green paint—and the subject of its acceptance was argued in Parliament. He has invariably worsted his professional enemies, for after the “Rima” excitement a full-length figure, called “The Visitation,” was purchased for the Tate by popular subscription. 25 CRATES OF SCULPTURE His show in New York will be vast. Twenty-five crates have been sent already, including portraits of the Duke and Duches of Marlborough. There is also one gigantic group, hitherto not exhibited. It represents the last tw-o years of work, and is certain to astonish the Americans. Epstein was born in the East Side of New York, in very humble circumstances. His talents as a boy camej to the attention of Mrs. Hamilton Fish,! who arranged for him to go to Paris.! Soon afterward he designed the tomb j of Oscar Wilde, which was denounced \ by the authorities of Paris. His statues on the British Medical j Association building (now the offices j of the New Zealand High Commis-j sioner), in the Strand. were also; “under fire,” but may still be seen.

Epstein will go hack to London, and the art warld will await his return with interest.