Jacob Epstein. Rebel-angel - ACE168.2

Part of Gaumont-British News item Genesis Goes to the Seaside. Genesis (1931) at Blackpool, Jacob Epstein at unveiling of Adam (1939) at Blackpool, Genesis on truck passing through London. Genesis being uncrated; VO on the criticism levelled at Epstein’s work during his lifetime. Examples of his sculptures. Photograph of Epstein. Dr Evelyn Silber, Assistant Director, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, talking about Epstein’s reputation since his death. VO continues over film of Epstein at work. Photographs of Epstein; VO of Antony Gormley, Sculptor. Gormley says every sculptor in Britain owes Epstein a great debt for his pioneering work. Self Portrait (1901); photograph of the British Medical Association building in the Strand, London, for which, in 1907, Charles Holden commissioned Epstein to produce eighteen figures. Photograph of Epstein with one of the figures; Epstein’s words read over. Richard Cork, Art Critic of The Listener, talking about Holden decision to employ Epstein. Examples of the sculptures which display (Epstein’s description) "the primal emotions". Epstein’s words, suggesting the figures had some "human meaning", read over. Photograph of some of the nude figures in place; Epstein’s words over talking about complaints fomented by the National Vigilance League in the building opposite. Silber on the prudishness of the time, and the "draped and idealised figures on the Victoria Memorial" as illustrative of the kind of work Epstein and others wished to break away from. Cork describes Epstein as an "invader", able to take a more detached view of British art. Street scenes in the East Side, New York City; Epstein’s words over. Photograph of Epstein’s parents. Peggy-Jean Lewis, Daughter, on Epstein’s family’s preference that he should become a professional, not an artist. Sketches by the young Epstein of life on the East Side, and some of his illustrations for The Spirit of the Ghetto (1902) by Hutchins Hapgood. Epstein’s words over describing how he turned to sculpture.